They grow to a length of about 2 cms. They have only eight prolegs, and are unusual in having a U-shaped arrangement (penellipse) of crochets on the prolegs. The caterpillars pupate in the leaf they have been mining, which usually curls over.

The adult moths are yellow with purple markings, and have a wingspan of about 2 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of Landcare Research Ltd., New Zealand)

The species occurs in many parts of the world, including :

and was introduced into Australia by unfortunate accident.

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common, Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 198-199.

previous caterpillar

Australian butterflies

Australian caterpillars

Australian moths

next caterpillar