Initially dark, it later becomes yellow, with a dark line down its back, and a dark brown head. It lives in a loose web spun amongst its food. The webbing can cause problems with machinery handing the material.

When one Caterpillar encounters another, they each produce a small amount of brown liquid from the mouth, and this causes the Caterpillars to walk apart. This appears to be a mechanism that prevents overcrowding of the Caterpillars. Unfortunately for the Caterpillars, this mandibular secretion also attracts parasitoid wasps such as the Ichneumonid Venturia canescens.

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

The adult is brown, and has a wingspan of about 2 cms. The pheromones of the specie shave been elucidated.

(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

It was introduced into Australia by accident. Now, the species occurs over the whole of Australia.

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common, Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 350.

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