Amyna axis
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Amyna axis, the oriental eight-spot, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It occurs in Africa, temperate Asia, Australia and the Cook Islands. The New World population of Amyna axis was determined to be a separate species, Amyna stricta, in 2015.
The moth migrates north each year in late summer and fall. The larvae feed on Amaranthus, Croton, Celosia, Digera, Helianthus, Chenopodium, Spinacia, Ipomoea, Ricinus, Arachis, Crotalaria, Medicago, Phaseolus, Hibiscus, Cardiospermum, Solanum, Corchorus and Parasponia species.
It is an irregular minor pest of mung beans (Vigna radiata), black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiclata), lucerne (Medicago sativa) and soy beans (Glycine max). Its prevalence may be under reported due to the resemblance of the caterpillar with those of Chrysoieixis species.
The larvae are thin bodied and have faint white stripes and two pairs of ventral prolegs. At low densities of groups, caterpillars are pale green. Among caterpillars at high densities, there are higher frequencies of melanistic phenotypes. The degree of blackening varied widely, ranging from individuals... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report an Oriental Eight-Spot sighting in Durban on a given day, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 345th most-seen of the 401 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
February, April and December
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report an Oriental Eight-Spot in Durban on a given day, against under 5% in January, March and May–November, the lowest months.
Between 7 and 10 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Oriental Eight-Spot sightings with a recorded time, and nearly all of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is mostly seen at night.
Yes
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Oriental Eight-Spot sightings, Durban has the highest daily chance: under 5%. Next come Tokyo (Japan, under 5%).
Same family: Noctuidae
The closest relatives of the Oriental Eight-Spot that you can see in Durban (family Noctuidae, Cutworm Moths and Allies) are Lily Borer (about 10%), Cotton Bollworm Moth (about 10%) and Mediterranean Brocade (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Oriental Eight-Spot is recorded against all the insects logged in Durban (5 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
