Chrysodeixis subsidens

Chrysodeixis subsidens (Walker, 1858)
(one synonym : Plusia pseudochalcytes)
PLUSIINAE , NOCTUIDAE

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

Chrysodeixis subsidens
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

Caterpillars of this species are semi-loopers because some of their ventral prolegs are reduced and this makes them move looper fashion, like the Caterpillars of GEOMETRIDAE.

The Caterpillar is an agricultural pest at times, attacking:

Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea, BRASSICACEAE ),

Silver Beet ( Beta vulgaris cicla, CHENOPODIACEAE ),

Spearmint ( Mentha spicata, LAMIACEAE ), and

Tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum, SOLANACEAE ).

They also attack other plants such as:

Capeweed ( Arctotheca calendula, ASTERACEAE ).

The adult moth is predominently brown in colour, with bunched hairs on its head which look like a short pair of horns. On each forewing is a silvery figure of eight, with the segments fused together, unlike its kindred species: Chrysodeixis eriosoma, in which the parts are separated. The hindwings are fawn in colour with a dark brown terminal area. The moths have a wingspan of about 3 cms.

The species occurs over the south Pacific, and much of Australia, including

Tasmania,

Victoria,

Australian Capital Territory,

New South Wales, and

Queensland.

(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)