Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
&
Stella Crossley
&
Peter Marriott
(updated 16 May 2005)
(Photo: courtesy of Mike and Pat Coupar,
from:
"Flying Colours", Coupar & Coupar, 1992)
This species is widespread in most of mainland Australia and Tasmania, where the larvae feed on
The Caterpillars are fawn, and have a knob on the tail. They have only two pairs of prolegs, and so move in a looper fashion. They normally rest motionless by day, and feed at night.
The adult moths are brown, but have forewing patterns that are somewhat variable.
Some have a row of dark dots or a vague line running about 5 mm from the outside edge of the wing. There is a dark mark about halfway along the trailing edge of each forewing. The rear wings are more variable, ranging from a pink, through salmon to a drab pink tinged brown. A distinct diagonal line usually runs through the middle of each rear wing.
(updated 16 May 2005)Peter Marriott)
Adult males often come to lights in October, November, December and January. Females rarely come to lights (less than 5%). The female wings are a slightly different shape, larger but similar colour to males. Also, the antennae of female is almost threadlike, whereas that of a male is obviously 'feathered'.
We have found the species in a variety of locations in Victoria:
Both sexes have a large blotch on the underside of the forewing. The underside of the rear wing is a light brown. Male wingspan up to 6 cms, female 7 cms.
The eggs are spherical and pale grey, and are laid in a flat irregular array.
Further reading :
Pat and Mike Coupar, Flying Colours, New South Wales University Press, Sydney 1992, p. 37.
 caterpillar |
 butterflies |
 caterpillars |
 moths |
 caterpillar |