Dichromodes mesogonia L.B. Prout, 1910
Widespread Heath Moth
OENOCHROMINAE,   GEOMETRIDAE,   GEOMETROIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Dichromodes mesogonia
early instar
(Photo: courtesy of David Akers, Won Wron, Victoria)

Early instars of this caterpillar are pale brown on top and white underneath, and have black-outlined white spots between segments. The head has a pair of blunt horns. The first three pairs of prolegs are missing, so it walks in a looper fashion.

Dichromodes mesogonia
later instar
(Photo: courtesy of David Akers, Won Wron, Victoria)

Later instars are green with some brown marks between segments, and in the last instar: the head becomes rounded.

Dichromodes mesogonia
final instar
(Photo: courtesy of David Akers, Won Wron, Victoria)

The caterpillar has been found feeding on

  • Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia, MYRTACEAE).

    Dichromodes mesogonia
    young pupa
    (Photo: courtesy of David Akers, Won Wron, Victoria)

    The caterpillar probably pupates in loose cocoon in ground debris. The pupa is initially green, but becomes brown as it matures.

    Dichromodes mesogonia
    female
    (Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Moths of Victoria: Part 4)

    The adult female moths have grey forewings each with variable patterns, including two incomplete dark lines. The hindwings are plain grey with a vestigial pattern. The females have threadlike antennae.

    Dichromodes mesogonia
    male
    (Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Moths of Victoria: Part 4)

    The males have the dark brown bands embedded in a more complex pattern. The males have antennae with a feather-like fringe on one side. Both sexes have a dark irregular spot with a pale centre near the middle of each forewing. The moths normally rest with the forewings covering the hindwings. The wingspan is about 2 cms.

    Th species has been found in

  • New South Wales,
  • Victoria, and
  • Western Australia.

    The name Dichromodes mesogonia appears to be applied to a number of similar species. In due course they will probably be described separately, and be given separate names.


    Further Reading

    Peter Marriott,
    Moths of Victoria: Part 4,
    Emeralds and Allies - GEOMETROIDEA (B)
    ,
    Entomological Society of Victoria, 2012, pp. 22-23.

    Louis Beethoven Prout,
    Geometridae, subfamily Oenochrominae,
    Genera Insectorum,
    Fascicules 104 (1910), p. 27, No. 43 (2).


    previous
    back
    caterpillar
    Australian
    Australian Butterflies
    butterflies
    Australian
    home
    Lepidoptera
    Australian
    Australian Moths
    moths
    next
    next
    caterpillar

    (written 2 May 2014, updated 14 May 2023)