Lomera zophopepla (Meyrick & Lower, 1907)
(formerly known as Plutorectis zophopepla)
PSYCHIDAE,   TINEOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Lomera zophopepla
case with empty pupal skin protruding
(Photo: Don Herbison-Evans, Bundaberg, Queensland)

This Caterpillar attaches sticks haphazardly, but approximately parallel, to its silk case, but near to the mouth of the case so that they jut out and form a conical shape.

The caterpillar has appeared to be feeding on plants in MYRTACEAE, including

  • Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), and
  • Gum Trees (Eucalyptus species).

    The case grows to a length of up to 5 cms.

    Lomera zophopepla
    (Photo: Don Herbison-Evans, Bundaberg, Queensland)

    The adult male moth has a wingspan of about 3 cms. It has black wings, brown antennae, and a hairy brown head, thorax, and abdomen. The black scales on the wings rapidly wear off, leaving the wings nearly transparent.

    The species has been found in

  • Queensland.


    Further reading :

    Edward Meyrick & Oswald B. Lower,
    Revision of the Australian Psychidae,
    Transactions and proceedings and report of the Royal Society of South Australia,
    Volume 31 (1907), p. 203, No. 16.


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    (updated 24 September 2010, 19 July 2024)