Schistophleps albida (Walker, [1865]) (previously known as Nudaria albida) LITHOSIINI,   ARCTIINAE,   EREBIDAE,   NOCTUOIDEA

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

(Photo: Don Herbison-Evans, Bundaberg, Queensland)

This Caterpillar was found hanging on a silken thread from an Olive Tree ( Olea europea, OLEACEAE ), although it was not clear if it was eating foliage from that tree, or perhaps just the algae on the trunk. The caterpillar was gray with several yellow spots, and as covered by sparse long hairs. It grew to 1 cm.

(Photo: Don Herbison-Evans, Bundaberg, Queensland)

It pupated in a thin cocoon surrounded by a fence of long hairs. The pupa was green with brown marks like a face!

(Photo: Don Herbison-Evans, Bundaberg, Queensland)

The adult moth is white with brown markings and two black dots on each forewing. It has a wing span of about 2 cms.

(Specimen: courtesy of The Australian Museum)

The species is found in

New South Wales.

underside
(Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

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Further reading :

Buck Richardson,
Tropical Queensland Wildlife from Dusk to Dawn Science and Art,
LeapFrogOz, Kuranda, 2015, p. 21.

Francis Walker,
Catalogue of Lepidoptera Heterocera,
List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
Part 31, Supplement 1 (1865), pp. 273-274.

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(updated 20 August 2012, 10 February 2013, 20 August 2020)