LYMANTRIIDAE Orgyia species
LYMANTRIIDAE Orgyia australis (probably)
The larvae feed on a wide variety of plants but in our case the most likely plants are Acacia (Mimosaceae), Grevillea and Macadamia (Proteaceae).This is one of the species where the females are flightless, limiting the ability of the species to spread to other areas should the host tree die or be removed.
Family:- LYMANTRIIDAEGenus:- Orgyia
Species:- australis (probably)
I have included the photo on the left because of the colour differences. I believe it is still Orgyia australis but it is an old moth and has lost a lot of scales.
There are also a number of other Orgyia moths with similar markings.
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Trichiocercus sparshalli THAUMETOPOEINAE NOTODONTIDAE
This entry was updated May 24, 2017
I previously had this moth as LYMANTRIIDAE poss Euproctis sp but a kind reader was able to correct the identification.
Family:- NOTODONTIDAE
Sub Family:- THAUMETOPOEINAE
Genus:- Trichiocercus
Species:- sparshalli
The larval food plant is Eucalyptus and they mostly feed at night, hiding during the day. The proboscis is very short and this possibly means the adults do not feed.
The adults are said to feign death if handled but I haven't seen it happen. The males come readily to light, this is probably a male because of the long scales on the tail.
The caterpillars can also apparently be processional.
Thanks to Peter for his assistance.
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