Ophiusa parcemacula

Ophiusa parcemacula (T.P. Lucas, 1891)
(previously known as : Anua parcimacula)
CATOCALINAE , NOCTUIDAE

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

(Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda)

It is unclear what these Caterpillars eat. There have been reports of them feeding on :

Mistletoe ( LORANTHACEAE ), and also on

Blake Paperbark ( Melaleuca quinquenervia, MYRTACEAE ).

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

The adult moth has pale brown forewings, each with a dark comma mark near the middle, and a dark mark at the wingtip. The hind wings are bright yellow, with broad dark brown margins. The moth has a wingspan of about 6 cms. The moth is noted for damaging fruit by piercing it and sucking the juice.

The species occurs in New Guinea and New Caledonia, as well as the northern half of Australia, including

South Australia,

Western Australia,

Northern Territory,

Queensland, and

New South Wales.

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pl. 21.10, p. 454.