Palpita unionalis

Palpita unionalis (Hübner, 1796)
Jasmine Moth
(one synonym : Palpita vitrealis Rossi, 1794)
SPILOMELINAE, CRAMBIDAE, PYRALOIDEA

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

(Photo: courtesy of iznikilcetarim)

This Caterpillar is green, shading blueish toward the head and the tail. When disturbed, it is inclined to wriggle violently, or drop on a thread. This species is an international pest, feeding on

Olive ( Olea europaea, OLEACEAE ),

Privet ( Ligustrum vulgare, OLEACEAE ),

Jasmine ( Jasminum officinale, OLEACEAE ), and

Strawberry Tree ( Arbutus unedo, ERICACAE).

The caterpillar starts life as an egg which is white and shaped as a flattened sphere. The caterpillars are initially yellow, later becoming green. They grow to a length of about 2 cms.

The adult has shiny transparent wings. The fore wings have a brown leading edge, and two black spots in the middle. The moths have a wingspan of about 3 cms.

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

The moth occurs in:

Spain, and

and in Australia, specimens have been taken in

Western Australia,

Northern Territory,

Queensland, and

New South Wales.

The species is known for its migrations. Some components of its pheromones have been elucidated.