Olene mendosa

Olene mendosa Hubner, 1823
(one synonym : Dasychira divisa)
LYMANTRIIDAE

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

Olene mendosa
(Photo: courtesy of Jan MacDonald, Finch Hatton)

The Caterpillar of this species is hairy, with four white or brown dorsal tussocks, two pairs of white lateral tussocks, a black hair pencil on the tail, and a pair of black hair pencils each side of the head. The head and true legs are red.

(Photo: courtesy of Jan MacDonald, Finch Hatton)

It is reported to feed on the foliage of many plants, including :

Orchid Trees ( Bauhinia species, CAESALPINIACEAE ),

Terminalia ( Terminalia carolinensis, COMBRETACEAE ),

Castor Oil ( Ricinus communis, EUPHORBIACEAE ),

Avocado ( Persea americana, LAURACEAE )

Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ),

Macadamia Nuts ( Macadamia integrifolia, PROTEACEAE ), and

Lichees ( Litchi chinensis, SAPINDACEAE ).

(Photo: courtesy of Jan MacDonald, Finch Hatton)

The Caterpillar pupates inside a silk cocoon spun between the leaves of the foodplant.

male
(Photo: courtesy of Jan MacDonald, Finch Hatton)

The adult moth is dimorphic. Both sexes have (different) patterns of light and dark brown on the fore wings, buff coloured hind wings, and brown bodies. The male has a wingspan of about 3 cms. The female has an aereole (tranparent area with no scales) on each forewing, and a wingspan of about 4 cms.

Male

Olene mendosa
Female
(Specimens: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The species may be found across south east Asia, including :

India,

Indonesia,

Taiwan,

Thailand,
as well as in Australia in:

Queensland.