Chlorocoma dichloraria

Chlorocoma dichloraria Guenee, 1857
GEOMETRINAE, GEOMETRIDAE

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

(updated 6 March 2008)

(Photo: courtesy of Merlin Crossley)

This Caterpillar is thin and green, with the head end extended into two red horn-like points. A pale yellow lateral line extends from behind these points to the anal prolegs. A red spot marks each ventral prolegs.

close-up of head end
(Photo: courtesy of Merlin Crossley)

It typically stands twig-like on its anal prolegs and single pair of ventral prolegs. It blends in well with the stalks of its foodplant. It feeds on various Wattles ( MIMOSACEAE ) including:

Black Wattle ( Acacia mearnsii ), and

Silver Wattle ( Acacia dealbata ).

Pupation occurs in the leaf litter. Pupal duration is three weeks for Caterpillars pupating in December in Melbourne.

(Photo: courtesy of Merlin Crossley)

The adult is also green. The termen of each wing and the costa of each fore wing are pale orange. Because of the predominant green colour, this and related species of moths are called 'Emeralds'. The moth has a wingspan of about 3 cms.

The eggs are bright green also. They are oval like a rugby football, slightly flattened above and below and at each end.

The species is found in :

Tasmania, and