Editorial photo #13248007 Human Interest

Alstonia Leaf Folder - Parotis Marginata - Pest - Animal India

Parotis Marginata (Hampson) Is A Significant Pest Of Ornamental And Forest Plants, Particularly Alstonia Scholaris (Devil Tree), Tabernaemontana (Tagar), And Jasmine, Found Across South-East Asia, Including India, Bangladesh And China, As Well As Fiji, Japan And Australia. The Larvae Act As Leaf Folders/rollers, Creating Silk-lined Shelters That Cause Severe Defoliation, Scorching Effects, And Can Kill Plants In Nursery Or Garden Settings. The Adults Are A Deep Green Colour, With A Crenulated Brown Line Around The Edges Of Each Wing. The Male Parotis Marginata Possesses Coremata, Which Are Tufts Of Hair-like Scales, Typically Black Or Brown, Located At The End Of The Abdomen, Looking Like A Stretchable Broom. These Are Scent-dispersing Organs Used To Release Pheromones, Likely During Mating Rituals. Here, A Moth Is Hiding Behind A Leaf, Wiggling Its Coremata At Tehatta, West Bengal, India, On January 27, 2026. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)