Pyropteron doryliformis (Ochsenheimer, 1808)
(one synonym : Sesia icteropus)
Dock Moth
 SESIINAE ,   SESIIDAE

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

Pyropteron doryliformis
(Photo: courtesy of the South Australian Research and Development Institute)

This species was introduced deliberately from Europe into Tasmania in 1997 to control the pasture weed :

  • Dock ( Rumex species, POLYGONACEAE ).

    The Caterpillar is off-white with a brown head, and bores into its foodplant stems and roots to feed.

    Pyropteron doryliformis
    (Photo: courtesy of Association Roussillonnaise d'Entomologie)

    The adult moth looks rather like a wasp, having transparent wings with broad black margins. The abdomen has three narrow white bands, and the legs and some hairs on the abdominal tip are a golden yellow.

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    (updated 7 September 2009)