Neola semiaurata Walker, 1855
NOTODONTINAE ,   NOTODONTIDAE

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

(updated 22 September 2005)


(Photo: copyright Bruce Anstee)

This Caterpillar is stout, and a pink-grey colour. It is covered in sparse short hairs, and has a fleshy spike on its tail.


(Photo: copyright Bruce Anstee)

It feeds on:

  • various Wattles ( Acacia, MIMOSACEAE ),

    and grows to a length of 6 cms.


    (Photo: copyright Bruce Anstee)

    When upset it rears its head and tail in the air, and shows a pair of eyespots under its tail (normally hidden in folds of skin).


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

    It pupates in a cocoon in the ground litter.

    The adult moth is rather dull compared to its Caterpillar, having forewings speckled dark grey, and pale orange hind wings. It has a wingspan of about 6 cms.


    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)


    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 36, 421.

    Pat and Mike Coupar,
    Flying Colours, New South Wales University Press, Sydney 1992, p. 78.


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