Aenetus ombraloma

Aenetus ombraloma (Lower, 1902)
(one synonym : Oenetus paradiseus Tindale, 1953)
HEPIALIDAE

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

(updated 19 September 2011)

The caterpillars of this species have been found living in tunnels bored into the trunks of young Gum Trees ( MYRTACEAE ) of various species, including:

Messmate ( Eucalyptus obliqua ),

Mountain ash ( Eucalyptus regnans ), and

Yellow Gum ( Eucalyptus john-stonii ).

The caterpillars cover the entrance to their tunnel with a web of silk, and pupate in their tunnel.

The female adult moths have green forewings and brown hindwings. The males have brown forewings, and orange hind wings that are orange with a broad dark brown border. The moths have a wingspan of about 6 cms.

The species is found in

South Australia,

Tasmania,

Victoria, and

New South Wales.

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 147.