Page 577 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION Eastern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia
HABITAT Subtropical forests below 1,970 ft (600 m) elevation
HOST PLANTS Menispermaceae, including Carronia Vine (Carronia multisepalea)
and Pycnarrhena australiana
NOTE Spectacular caterpillar that has false eyes and a defensive posture
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but the southern subspecies is endangered

ADULT WINGSPAN
5–6¾ in (130–170 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
PHYLLODES IMPERIALIS 4⅝ in (120 mm)
IMPERIAL
FRUIT-SUCKING MOTH 575

DRUCE, 1888

The female Imperial Fruit-sucking Moths lay their eggs
singly on vines of the Menispermaceae family, choosing young
leaves on low-growing plants in heavily shaded areas. Once
hatched, the caterpillars feed on leaves and, at rest, lie flat

against the stems, their dead-lea ike camou age making them
difficult to spot among the foliage. The mature larvae crawl
to the ground and pupate in a loose cocoon in the leaf litter.
The resulting pupae have a bronze color.

The Phyllodes imperialis caterpillar is often referred to as the
“big-headed” caterpillar after its remarkable defensive behavior.
When threatened, it arches its body and bends its head down to
reveal a pair of pale black, blue, and yellow eyespots and rows
of white, teethlike markings to startle any would-be predator.
There are several subspecies, including the endangered
Southern Pink Underwing moth, which is named for the bright
pink patches on its hindwing. The Imperial Fruit-sucking Moth caterpillar is
olive green to gray brown, with several thin, pale,
wiggly dorsal lines and oblique shading that
resemble veins of a leaf. Two large, blue-black
eyespots and white markings are found on
the rst abdominal segment, with another
brown-and-red mark behind. The last abdominal
segments are elongated with a ventral black
mark outlined in white.

Actual size