Phalaenoides tristifica

Phalaenoides tristifica (Hubner, 1818)
(erroneously: Phoelenoides ephyra)
Grapevine Moth
AGARISTINAE , NOCTUIDAE

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

Phalaenoides tristifica
(Photo: courtesy of Merlin Crossley)

This is a striking Caterpillar which is black with pale yellow lines running across and along its body to give it a checkered appearance. It has long white hairs scattered sparsely over its otherwise smooth skin. It has an orange head capsule, a series of lateral red spots. and a big orange rump, This orange rump may cause predators such as birds to mistake the tail for the head. The Caterpillar usually feeds on the foliage of:

Cultivated Grape Vine ( Vitis vinifera, VITACEAE ),

on which it is an agricultural pest. It is also known to feed on:

Virginia Creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia, VITACEAE ),

Guinea Flowers ( Hibbertia species, DILLENIACEAE ) , and

Willow Herbs ( Epibolium species, ONAGRACEAE ).

It grows to a length of about 4 cms. When mature, the Caterpillar wanders off for several days, then burrows into the soil to pupate. It develops into a pupa with no cocoon.

(Photo: courtesy of Karen Biggelaar, Lal Lal, near Ballarat, Victoria)

The length of the pupal stage varies. In Melbourne, specimens pupating in January emerged in February, but specimens pupating in March did not emerge until the following October.

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

The adult moths are black with white markings. They have a wingspan of about 4 cms.

underside
(Photo: courtesy of Karen Biggelaar, Lal Lal, near Ballarat, Victoria)

Underneath, the wings are similar to the upper surfaces, but the body is orange.

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

Its eye system has been investigated by Horridge et al. as this moth is commonly seen flying in the daytime.

Specimens have been caught in:

New South Wales,

Victoria, and

Tasmania.