Comana monomorpha (Turner, 1904)
 (formerly known as Natada monomorpha)
LIMACODIDAE,   ZYGAENOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley


(Photo: courtesy of Juliahazel, Townsville, Queensland)

The caterpillars of this species are green with black saddles on the back of each segment, and have two rows of verrucae each side, each verruca bearing a dozen or so venomous green spines. The head and tail also each have two long black spines. The head is yellow with orange markings.

Caterpillar is usually found feeding on leaves of

  • Lillypilly (Syzygium species, MYRTACEAE),

    but has also been found on

  • Geisha Bush (Durantes repens, VERBENACEAE), and
  • Golden Cane Palm (Dypsis lutescens, ARECACEAE).


    (Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

    The adult moths have brown forewings each with a dark spot in the middle with raised scales. The hindwings and undersides are plain brown. The wingspan is up to 4 cms.


    (Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

    The species occurs in:

  • Queensland.


    underside
    (Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

    Further reading :

    A. Jefferis Turner,
    New Australian Lepidoptera...with synonomic notes and other notes,
    Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia,
    Volume 28 (1904), p. 242.

    Andy Walker,
    Australia’s venomous limacodid caterpillars,
    Butterflies and Other Invertebrates Club,
    Metamorphosis Australia,
    Issue 104 (September 2022), pp. 22-27.

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    (written 31 October 2014, updated 16 January 2025)