Opsirhina lechriodes (Turner, 1911)
(previously known as: Rhathymodes lechriodes)
LASIOCAMPINAE, LASIOCAMPIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Mike & Pat Coupar & Stella Crossley

(updated 30 March 2008)

Opsirhina lechriodes
(Photo from: "Flying Colours", Coupar & Coupar, 1992)

This is a brown, hairy Caterpillar with a pale yellow chevron mark on its back near the tail. It feeds on:

  • various species of Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ).

    It grows to a length of up to 6 cms.

    It pupates in a cocoon on the foodplant.

    Opsirhina lechriodes
    female adult
    (Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott)

    The male and female adult moths are different. The females are stout and brown, with a wingspan of about 5 cms.

    Opsirhina lechriodes
    male adult
    (Photo from: "Flying Colours", Coupar & Coupar, 1992)

    The males are smaller with a white spot in the middle of each forewing. They have a wingspan of about 4 cms.

    Opsirhina lechriodes
    male adult
    (Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

    The species occurs in :

  • New South Wales, and
  • Victoria.


    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 389.

    Pat and Mike Coupar,
    Flying Colours, New South Wales University Press, Sydney 1992, p. 58.

    Peter Marriott,
    Moths of Victoria: Vol 1: Bombycoidea,
    Entomological Society of Victoria, 2008, pp. 8-9.


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