Schistophleps albida (Walker, [1865])
 (previously known as Nudaria albida)
LITHOSIINI,   ARCTIINAE,   EREBIDAE,   NOCTUOIDEA
  
Don Herbison-Evans,
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Schistophleps albida larva
(Photo: Don Herbison-Evans, Bundaberg, Queensland)

This Caterpillar was found hanging on a silken thread from an Olive Tree ( Olea europea, OLEACEAE ), although it was not clear if it was eating foliage from that tree, or perhaps just the algae on the trunk. The caterpillar was gray with several yellow spots, and as covered by sparse long hairs. It grew to 1 cm.

Schistophleps albida pupa
(Photo: Don Herbison-Evans, Bundaberg, Queensland)

It pupated in a thin cocoon surrounded by a fence of long hairs. The pupa was green with brown marks like a face!

Schistophleps albida
(Photo: Don Herbison-Evans, Bundaberg, Queensland)

The adult moth is white with brown markings and two black dots on each forewing. It has a wing span of about 2 cms.

Schistophleps albida
(Specimen: courtesy of The Australian Museum)

The species is found in

  • Queensland, and
  • New South Wales.

    Schistophleps albida
    underside
    (Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

    Further reading :

    Graham J. McDonald,
    Moths - The Weird and the Wonderful,
    Butterflies and Other Invertebrates Club,
    Metamorphosis Australia,
    Issue 68 (March 2013), pp. 13-16.

    Buck Richardson,
    Tropical Queensland Wildlife from Dusk to Dawn Science and Art,
    LeapFrogOz, Kuranda, 2015, p. 21.

    Francis Walker,
    Catalogue of Lepidoptera Heterocera,
    List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
    Part 31, Supplement 1 (1865), pp. 273-274.

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    (updated 20 August 2012, 8 August 2024)