although it will also feed on plants from other families, such as:

The female Caterpillar grows to a length of about 8 cms., but the male grows only to about 5 cms.

(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

Our specimen pupated in a brown cocoon half way up its enclosure. The Caterpillar poked its hairs through the cocoon wall before pupating inside, giving the cocoon a furry appearance, although the hairs were just as thin and brittle as when they were on the Caterpillar.

Female
(Photo: courtesy of David and Ines Parker, Adelaide Hills)

The adult moths vary in colour from grey to brownish-orange, with a number of zig-zag lines running parallel to the margin of each wing, and two small white spots outlined in black on each forewing.

Male
(Photo: courtesy of David and Ines Parker, Adelaide Hills)

The male is smaller and has feathery antennae, whereas the female has wings that taper more, and has filamentous antennae. Male moths have a wing span of about 7 cms. Females have a wing span up to about 10 cms.

The species has been found in:

disembodied male		disembodied female

(Photos: courtesy of Peter Marriott)

The species may be found from Tasmania to Queensland.

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 70, 394.

Pat and Mike Coupar,
Flying Colours, New South Wales University Press, Sydney 1992, p. 26.

previous caterpillar

Australian butterflies

Australian caterpillars

Australian moths

next caterpillar