Monoctenia falernaria Guenée, 1857
(previously known as Monoctenia eximia)
 OENOCHROMINAE ,   GEOMETRIDAE

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


(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

This caterpillar is brown with an orange spiracle on each side of each segment surrounded by a reddish patch. The head is also reddish and speckled. It is a looper, having only two pairs of prolegs. The caterpillar feeds on:

  • various species of Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ).


    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

    The pupa is dark brown.


    (Photo: copyright Ken Harris, taken at Lake Condah, Victoria)

    The adult moth is also brown, with a few sqiggly dark lines on each wing. The thorax is very hairy. The wingspan is about 7 cms.


    eggs, magified
    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

    The eggs are white, smooth, and oval.

    Further reading :

    Peter B. McQuillan,
    An overview of the Tasmanian geometrid moth fauna (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and its conservation status,
    Journal of Insect Conservation, Volume 8, Issues 2 & 3, June 2004, pp. 209-220.

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    (updated 23 March 2012)