This caterpillar has dense grey, brown and white lateral hairs, which extend forward by the head to look like a moustache. Its back has a number of small knobs of various shades of red, brown and black. The sides of the head capsule look like two enormous grey eyes, divided by two vertical black lines.

later instar
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The later instars of this caterpillar is very hard to see when on its foodplant, despite being quite spectacular in appearance. It is hard to find because it often lies along a stem, usually by a fork, so that its moustaches align with the stems of the fork.

(Photo: courtesy of Bruce Anstee)

The caterpillar has been found on

Tick Bush ( Kunzea species),

all of MYRTACEAE.

Two cocoons: one opened to show the pupa.
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The caterpillar grows to a length of about 4 cms. It pupates in a cocoon spun between leaves of the foodplant.

mating pair
(Photo: courtesy of Rachael, Wollongong)

The moth is brown with a fine intricate pattern on the wings of white and grey. It has a fat abdomen, and a wingspan of about 3 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The eggs of this species are laid in a small cluster on a leaf of the foodplant.

(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The species is found in the central eastern regions of Australia.

(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

---

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 372.

---

previous caterpillar

Australian butterflies

Australian caterpillars

Australian moths

next caterpillar