Specimens were reported periodically from several locations island wide. It is capable of surviving on Indian Laurel host plants, of which Bermuda has plenty. (Government of Bermuda. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (2020) Envirotalk. Volume 84, Number 8.)
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Native to Central and South America, the West Indies, Florida and Texas.
Ficus plants have not been imported through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for at least ten years, so it has not entered unnoticed as eggs on a plant in this way. However, if a plant was smuggled into the island to circumvent the strict entry requirements, it is possible. The moth has been recorded venturing as far as 1,000km or more away from its natural range. These large moths are considered to be long distance migrants and strong fliers. It is possible that storm winds may have blown several of these moths (or possibly just one gravid (pregnant) female) off course and they managed to survive the long journey, as unusual as that seems. (Government of Bermuda. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (2020) Envirotalk. Volume 84, Number 8.);
Government of Bermuda. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (2020) Envirotalk. Volume 84, Number 8.