which is stripped by the brood of Caterpillars. It also feeds on other species of FABACEAE such as:

Thus the caterpillar is an important controlling agent of Broom infestations. However, the caterpillar is also an agricultural pest on:

The Caterpillars grow to a length of about 3.5 cms.

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

When fully grown, our specimen in Sydney burrowed into the soil at the foot of the foodplant, and there pupated inside a papery dense white cocoon. Another specimen in Melbourne climbed up its container and pupated near the lid. The adult moth emerged after about 4 weeks in autumn in Melbourne, and then took nearly two days to extend its wings fully.

eastern form

The adult moth appears in two basic forms. In the eastern states of Australia, it has dark brown forewings, and bright yellow hind wings with a black border.

western form
(Photo : courtesy of Lorraine Jenkins, Port Lincoln Junior Primary School, South Australia)

In South Australia and the west, the forewings are more black and white. The wingspan is about 3 cms. The labial palps on the head are lengthened and stretched out, and look like a birds beak.

eastern form
(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The species is found in :

It is closely related to the international pest species : Uresiphita gilvata. The variations in behavious and colour suggest that the specimens under this name are actually a species complex, and further work may show how to distinguish them.

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 67, 358.

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