Didymoctenia exsuperata (Walker, 1860)
 (previously known as Boarmia exsuperata)
Thick-lined Bark Moth
BOARMIINI,   ENNOMINAE,   GEOMETRIDAE,   GEOMETROIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Cathy Byrne & Stella Crossley

Didymoctenia exsuperata
early instar magnified
(Photo: copyright Cathy Byrne)

The early instars of this Caterpillar are off-white with some small dark dots, and a pale brown head.

Didymoctenia exsuperata
(Photo: courtesy of David Akers, Won Wron, Victoria)

Later instars are various shades of green, with a black spot each side of the third abdominal segment.

Didymoctenia exsuperata
close-up of head and thorax
(Photo: courtesy of David Akers, Won Wron, Victoria)

The caterpillars feed on the leaves of

  • Gum Trees (Eucalyptus species, MYRTACEAE).

    Didymoctenia exsuperata
    male pupa
    (Photo: courtesy of Steve Williams, Moths of Victoria: Part 7)

    The pupa is greenish brown. The pupa of a male clearly shows the pectinations developing on the antennae.

    Didymoctenia exsuperata
    male
    (Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Moths of Victoria: Part 7)

    The adult moths are grey or brown with a variable complex pattern of light and dark markings, often including two incomplete wavy black lines across each hindwing, one across each forewing, and one across the thorax. The females have thread-like antennae. The males have feathery antennae with four rami per segment. The wingspan is about 3 cms.

    Didymoctenia exsuperata
    female
    (Photo: courtesy of Marilyn Hewish, Moths of Victoria: Part 7)

    The species has been found in:

  • Queensland,
  • New South Wales,
  • Australian Capital Territory,
  • Victoria,
  • Tasmania, and
  • South Australia.

    Didymoctenia exsuperata
    underside
    (Photo: copyright of Brett and Marie Smith, at Ellura Sanctuary)

    Further reading :

    Marilyn Hewish,
    Moths of Victoria: Part 7,
    Bark Moths and Allies - GEOMETROIDEA (D)    ,
    Entomological Society of Victoria, 2016, pp. 18-19, 22-23.

    Francis Walker,
    Geometrites (continued),
    List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
    Part 21 (1860), p. 393, No. 124.

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    (updated 24 July 2013, 14 May 2023)