Tebenna micalis (Mann, 1857)
(one synonym : Choreutis bradleyi)
CHOREUTIDAE

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

(updated 24 August 2004)


sorry about the lack of abdomen
(Photo: courtesy of Landcare Research Ltd., New Zealand)

These caterpillars are green with black spots. They feed on various species in ASTERACEAE, including :

  • Capeweed ( Arctotheca calendula ),
  • Spear Thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ),
  • Fleabane ( Erigeron canadensis ),
  • Everlasting Daisy ( Helichrysum bracteatum ), and
  • Scotch Thistle ( Onopordum acanthium ).

    The caterpillars eat the flesh of the leaves leaving the skin intact, which is transparent and looks like small windows in the leaves.

    The adult moth is brown with black patches, and has a wingspan of about 1 cm.

    The species occurs worldwide, for example :

  • New Zealand,
  • Reunion,
  • Spain, and
  • United Kingdom.

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common, Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 292-293.

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