Serrated Crest-moth (one synonym : Gastrina denticulata Swinhoe, 1900) DIPTYCHINI, ENNOMINAE, GEOMETRIDAE, GEOMETROIDEA | (donherbisonevans@yahoo.com) and Stella Crossley |
(Photo: courtesy of Steve Williams,
Moths of Victoria: Part 5)
The Caterpillars of this species initially are black with white streaks, later becoming dark brown.
Later instars are green with a dark line along the back, pale yellow bands between the segments, and dappled brown heads with pale orange faces. The caterpillars are thought to feed on
The adult moths are brown with dark zigzag lines across the wings. The wing margins are serrated. At rest, the moths hold their wings folded, with the forewings covering the hindwings. The wingspan is about 4 cms.
The males have bipectinate antennae. The females have thread-like antennae.
The species has been found in:
The eggs are egg-shaped and covered in minute pits, and laid in irregular clusters. Initially the eggs are white, but they turn red, then dark purple, as hatching approaches.
Further reading:
Marilyn Hewish,
Moths of Victoria: Part 5
Satin Moths and Allies - GEOMETROIDEA (A),
Entomological Society of Victoria, 2014, pp. 19, 26-27, back cover.
Francis Walker,
Noctuidae,
List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
Part 11 (1857), pp. 761-762.
caterpillar | butterflies | Lepidoptera | moths | caterpillar |
(updated 5 December 2011, 24 April 2023)