Chenuala heliaspis (Meyrick, 1891)
(one synonym : Ocneria rufa)
Rose Anthelid
ANTHELIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 11 May 2004)


This is a yellow and red hairy Caterpillar with a pair of black hair pencils on its thorax. The hairs on the head and tail are pink. It feeds on the foliage of various trees:

  • Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ),
  • Wattle ( Acacia, MIMOSACEAE ), and
  • Pine ( Pinus, PINACEAE ).

    It grows to a length of 5 cms, and pupates in a cocoon in the foodplant foliage.


    Male imago
    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The adult moths are dimorphic. The male is brown with deep orange hindwings, and has a wingspan of about 6 cms.


    Female imago
    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The female is paler and has a wingspan of about 7 cms.

    Further reading :

    Pat and Mike Coupar, Flying Colours, New South Wales University Press, Sydney 1992, p. 29.

    Ian F.B. Common, Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 396.

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