It is found from the Indo-Australian tropics and subtropics, extending south to New Zealand and east through the Pacific archipelagoes to Easter Island.

A dorsal black stripe bordered by reddish-white spots between fourth and fifth somites.

They feed on Excoecaria cochinchinensis (Euphorbiaceae),[7] castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), both Brassica and Ficus species and many more crops like Arachis hypogaea, Citrus, Corchorus, Dalbergia sissoo, Dodonaea viscosa, Euphorbia hirta, Glycine max, Lagenaria siceraria, Punica granatum, Rosa chinensis, Solanum lycopersicum, Tamarindus indica, Theobroma cacao, Vigna mungo and Ziziphus mauritiana.

[8] As they feed off the castor oil plant they may be extremely poisonous and should be avoided at all costs.

Caterpillars damage foliage, resulting in defoliation and reduction of photosynthesis process.

In chemical control, quinalphos, chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, monocrotophos, endosulphan sprays are used.

Neem seed kernel extract sprays are used to destroy eggs.