Oenosandra boisduvalii

Oenosandra boisduvalii Newman, 1856
OENOSANDRIDAE

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

(updated 1 June 2006)

eggs (magnified)
(Photo : courtesy of Lorraine Jenkins, Port Lincoln Junior Primary School, South Australia)

The eggs of this species are white and oval. They are laid in small groups and covered in hairs by the female moth.

The Caterpillar is dark grey, with white spots and sparse stiff white hairs, and has a brown head.

(Photo: by David Carter, Natural History Museum, London,
courtesy of Denys Long, East Sussex)

It feeds nocturnally on :

various species of Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ),

and hides by day in groups under loose bark.

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

Originally, the male and female moths were thought to be different species because they look so different. The female adult moth is white with a broad black line along each forewing ending in a black bar at the base. The body has alternate black and orange bands.

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

The male has fawn forewings speckled with black dots, and has pale hindwings. The moths have a wingspan of about 5 cms.

Female
(Photo: courtesy of Bruce Anstee)

The species is found over the southern half of Australia, including Tasmania.

(Photos : courtesy of Lorraine Jenkins and Sam,
Port Lincoln Junior Primary School, South Australia)