Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
(updated 7 February 2008)
(Photo: courtesy of Nadine Brown,
Swan Reach, South Australia)
These caterpillars greenish in colour with an obvious yellow stripe down each side. Less obvious are the stripes that go across the body. There are six black spots outlined in white on each segment. In shape: the caterpillars taper somewhat at each end.
They are agricultural pests, attacking crops such as :
living communally in a silk web built on the plant. In the wild, they feed on :
They grow to a length of about 2 cms.
The adult moth has fawn forewings, and pale brown hindwings which have a satin sheen. It has a wingspan of about 2 cms.
It is a very common species in eastern Australia, and is probably the most widespread and common crambid in Australia. It appears to be able to fly long distances, as outbreaks of this pest occur in diverse areas.
Further reading :
Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia,
Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 66, 354, 357.
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