Cephrenes trichopepla (Lower, 1908)
Yellow Palm Dart
 HESPERIINAE, HESPERIIDAE

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

(updated 25 October 2004)

This Caterpillar is a translucent green, shading to purplish underneath. The head is white with black bands, and an orange patch. It lives and feeds on various Palm species ( ARECACEAE ), including:

  • Coconut ( Cocos nucifera ),
  • Cabbage Tree Palms ( Livistona species ), and
  • Date Palms ( Phoenix species ),

    living in a shelter made from joining palm fronds together with silk.


    (Photo: courtesy of Museum Victoria)

    The upper side of the adult butterfly is brown with yellow bands. Underneath, the wings are yellow with dark brown dots and splotches. The wing span is about 4 cms.


    (Photo: courtesy of Museum Victoria)

    The species has been found in :

  • Brisbane as well as
  • Victoria, and
  • South Australia.

    Further reading :

    Michael F. Braby, Butterflies of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 1, pp. 232-233.

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