Uresiphita ornithopteralis

Uresiphita ornithopteralis (Guenée, 1854)
(previously known as : Mecyna ornithopteralis)
Tree Lucerne Moth
PYRAUSTINI , PYRAUSTINAE , CRAMBIDAE

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

Uresiphita ornithopteralis
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

This Caterpillar has sparse hairs and is multicoloured: being basically green with yellow stripes along the sides, and black and white spots all over. It has a prominent brown head capsule. It has been found for many years, regularly every year, in a suburban garden in Manly, Sydney, on a particular bush of:

English Broom ( Cytisus scoparius, FABACEAE ),

which is stripped by the brood of Caterpillars. It also feeds on other species of FABACEAE such as:

Montpellier Broom ( Genista monspessulana ), and

Purple Pea ( Hovea species).

(Photo: courtesy of Kristine Hendry, Melbourne)

Thus the caterpillar is an important controlling agent of Broom infestations. However, the caterpillar is also an agricultural pest on:

commercial legumes (such as Peas and Beans).

The Caterpillars grow to a length of about 3.5 cms.

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

When fully grown, our specimen in Sydney burrowed into the soil at the foot of the foodplant, and there pupated inside a papery dense white cocoon. Another specimen in Melbourne climbed up its container and pupated near the lid. The adult moth emerged after about four weeks in autumn in Melbourne, and then took nearly two days to extend its wings fully.

eastern form

The adult moth appears in two basic forms. In the eastern states of Australia, it has dark brown forewings, and bright yellow hind wings with a black border.

western form
(Photo : courtesy of Lorraine Jenkins, Port Lincoln Junior Primary School, South Australia)

In South Australia and the west, the forewings are more black and white. The wingspan is about 3 cms. The labial palps on the head are lengthened and stretched out, and look like a birds beak.

eastern form
(Photo: courtesy of Laura Levens, Upper Beaconsfield, Victoria)

The species is found in :

South Australia, and

It is closely related to the overseas pest species : Uresiphita gilvata.

eastern form
(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The variations in behaviour and colour suggest that the Australian specimens under the name Uresiphita ornithopteralis are actually a species complex, and further work may show how to distinguish them.