Chrysolarentia decisaria (Walker, 1863)
(one synonym is: Fidonia monacmaria)
Native Pasture Looper
 XANTHORHOINI ,   LARENTIINAE ,   GEOMETRIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Catherine J. Young & Stella Crossley

(updated 12 March 2005)


(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

These Caterpillars are threatened with extinction. They feed in native pastures on herbaceous plants that such as :

  • Australian Native Geranium ( Pelargonium rodneyanum, GERANIACEAE ), and
  • Tunbridge Buttercup ( Ranunculus prasinus, RANUNCULACEAE ).

    The caterpillars are brown with a broad pale dorsal stripe, and a similar stripe each side. It has short sparse hairs, each arising from a darker brown spot.


    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

    Since the nineteenth century the species has been in decline. This is probably due to:

  • the advent of sheep which also feed on the foodplants of the caterpillar,
  • the introduction of new forage plants which have displaced these foodplants, and
  • the fertilisation of the pastures which gives advantages to other plants.

    The species is now considered to be threatened.


    (Photo: courtesy of Peter B. McQuillan, University of Tasmania)

    The adult moths have brown wings with light bands across them.

    They were found in Victoria and Tasmania.

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