Carnivorous Caterpillars of Australia

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

Acrodipsas illidgei Acrodipsas myrmecophila Arhopala micale Arhopala wildei Hypochrysops halyaetus Hypochrysops ignita Liphyra brassolis Lucia limbaria Ogyris genoveva Ogyris idmo Ogyris otanes Ogyris subterrestris Paralucia aurifer Paralucia pyrodiscus these are in LYCAENIDAE	The caterpillars of these species live in Ant nests, and are all thought to eat ant larvae. Some have been filmed doing so, but the evidence for some of the others is rather circumstantial.
Mataeomera coccophaga (ACONTIINAE)	The caterpillars of this species feed on Gum Tree Scale Insects ( COCCIDAE).
Coccidiphaga scitula (ACONTIINAE)	The caterpillars of this species feed on Olive Black Scale (Saissetia oleae, COCCIDAE).
Spodoptera frugiperda (ACRONICTINAE)	The caterpillars of this species attack each other when plant food is short.
Batrachedra arenosella (BATRACHEDRIDAE)	The caterpillars of this species have been thought to feed on various things, including Scale Insects ( COCCIDAE).
Calyptra minuticornis (CALPINAE)	These moths sometimes pierce the skin of sleeping animals and feed on their blood.
Pyroderces falcatella (COSMOPTERIGIDAE)	The caterpillars of this species have been found feeding on Lac Insect Larvae (Paratachardina lobata, KERRIIDAE).
Cyclotorna monocentra (CYCLOTORNIDAE)	The early instars of these caterpillars feed on Leaf Hoppers and later instars feed on larvae of Meat Ants
EPIPYROPIDAE	The caterpillars of this family feed on Lantern Flies (FULGORIDAE) and Antipodean Hoppers (EURYBRACHIDAE)
Hypsopygia mauritialis (PYRALIDAE)	The caterpillars of this species feed on the combs and larvae in Paper Wasp nests.
Tirathaba parasiticus (PYRALIDAE)	The caterpillars of this species feed on other caterpillars.
Titanoceros thermoptera (PYRALIDAE)	The caterpillars of this species are oophagous, feeding on the eggs of other moths, such as those of Ochrogaster lunifer.
Rapala varuna (LYCAENIDAE)	The caterpillars of this species eat other caterpillars of their own species, as well as the foodplant they are on.
Stathmopoda melanochra (STATHMOPODIDAE)	The caterpillars of this species feed on various species of Scale Insect ( COCCOIDEA) such as : Gumtree Scale (Eriococcus coriaceus) (on Gums: MYRTACEAE), Wax Scale (Ceroplastes species) (on Figs : MORACEAE), and Wattle Tick Scale (Cryptes baccatus) (on Wattles : MIMOSACEAE).
Euploea corinna (DANAINAE)	The young caterpillars of this species eat unhatched eggs of their own species.
Eupithecia orichloris (LARENTIINAE)	OVERSEAS: in Hawaii: The caterpillars of this species catch and eat flies.

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(updated 26 December 2013, 3 April 2017, 4 May 2019, 7 October 2020)