Australia has about 20,000 species of moths and butterflies. The caterpillars of less than 5% of these species are known.

Most insect taxonomy has been performed using the adult forms, so usually the only way to determine the species of a caterpillar is to rear it through to the adult butterfly or moth, and then identify that. Even if you think you get a match using these webpages, please take it into protective custody, and rear it to the adult. We would love to see your photos of the caterpillar and of the resulting adult.

Click on one of the following 8 options :

BIG: 6 cms or more long, hairy	small: shorter than 6 cms hairy	small: shorter than 6 cms, not hairy sparse or short hairs, smooth or warty	BIG: 6 cms or more long, not hairy sparse or short hairs, smooth or warty
lives in a borehole in a stem, twig, branch, trunk, or the ground	lives in a fixed shelter made of silk or leaves or detritus	lives in a case carries the case around	maybe not be a caterpillar