Opodiphthera loranthi (T.P.Lucas, 1891)
(one synonym : Antheraea carnea)
SATURNIIDAE

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


early instar
(Photo: courtesy of David and Shireen Brunckhorst, Armidale, NSW)

This Caterpillar is dark green or brown, with dark tubercles (scoli) each with a white hair with a flattened tip.


(Photo: courtesy of David and Shireen Brunckhorst, Armidale, NSW)

It feeds in groups on :

  • various species of Mistletoe ( Amyema , LORANTHACEAE ).


    late instar
    (Photo: courtesy of David and Shireen Brunckhorst, Armidale, NSW)

    The Caterpillars pupate together in tough oval cocoons on the main stem of their foodplant.


    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The adult moth is rusty brown with wrinkled wingtips, a single brown eyespot in the middle of each wing, and a black line parallel to the outer edge of each fore wing. It has a wingspan up to 10 cms. The species is found in the north-east quarter of Australia.

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 406.

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    (updated 14 December 2009)