Dirce species
ARCHIEARINAE,   GEOMETRIDAE,   GEOMETROIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans,
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Cathy Byrne & Stella Crossley

Dirce species
(Photo: copyright Catherine J. Young)

The Caterpillars of this species are green and knobbly, with a yellow dorsal line. They feed during the autumn months on the foliage of prostrate alpine conifers such as:

  • Chestnut Pine ( Diselma archeri, CUPRESSACEAE ), and
  • Mount Mawson Pine ( Microstrobos niphophilus, PODOCARPACEAE ).

    The pupa is initially green, and formed in a flimsy white silk cocoon to which are attached pieces of the last cast off larval skin.

    Dirce species
    (Photo: copyright Catherine J. Young)

    The adults are diurnal, flying in the daytime in early summer. The moths are moderately small and cryptically coloured, and rather dull in colouration and appearance. It lack the flash colouration present on the hindwings of Dirce lunaris and Dirce solaris. It is similar in coloration to Dirce oriplancta.

    Dirce species
    (Photo: copyright Catherine J. Young)

    The eggs are minutely pitted and oval. Initially they are white, and turn red as they approach hatching.

    Dirce species
    eggs, magnified
    (Photo: copyright Catherine J. Young)

    The species occurs in Tasmania. It appears to be limited in distribution to Mt. Field in southern Tasmania, although this is most likely an artifact of collection. It is sympatric with Dirce oriplancta, which is usually the dominant species.

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    (updated 21 June 2005, 18 February 2014, updated 26 August 2021)