Heliocosma species Lower, 1916
 HELIOCOSMA Group,   TORTRICOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Heliocosma species
caterpillar in its case, projecting the head and thorax
(Photo: courtesy of Michael Sim, Jerrabomberra, Australian Capital Territory)

The caterpillars of this species are off-white with four brown stripes on the head extending onto the thorax. The caterpillars construct and live in a portable case covered haphazardly in unknown fluffy fibres.. The caterpillars have been found feeding on the flowers of

  • Australian Native Onion ( Bulbine bulbosa, ASPHODELACEAE ), and
  • Catsear ( Hypochaeris radicata, ASTERACEAE ).

    The caterpillars only project their head and thorax out of the case far enough to crawl around and feed. The case grows to a length of about 2 cms.

    Heliocosma species
    close-up of head and thorax
    (Photo: courtesy of Michael Sim, Jerrabomberra, Australian Capital Territory)

    The adult moths of this species are not yet known.

    The species occurs in

  • Australian Capital Territory.

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    (written 25 November 2022, updated 26 November 2022)