Anthela varia

Anthela varia (Walker, 1855)
(one synonym : Darala pinguis)
ANTHELINAE , ANTHELIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 24 February 2009)

Anthela varia
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

This animal begins life as one of a row of eggs laid by its mother. The newly hatched Caterpillars are black with a white thorax and long sparse grey hairs. They feed on the leaves of:

Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ),

Macadamia Nuts ( Macadamia integrifolia, PROTEACEAE ),

Spider Flowers ( Grevillea, PROTEACEAE ), and

Firewheel ( Stenocarpus, PROTEACEAE ).

They grow to a length of about 7 cms. When mature, they become brown with long dense tufts of white hair on the sides between each pair of segments.

(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

They pupate in a buff papery double-walled cocoon among dead leaves or under a log.

Cocoon cut open to reveal pupa
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The adult moths vary in colour from yellow to brown, with darker wavy lines and markings. The female can have wingspans up to 9 cms. The species is found in the coastal areas eastern Australia, including:

New South Wales,

Queensland,

South Australia, and

Victoria.