Pernattia pusilla

Pernattia pusilla (Donovan, 1805)
(one synonym : Perna exposita)
She-Oak Moth
GASTROPACHINAE , LASIOCAMPIDAE

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

(updated 5 April 2009)

Pernattia pusilla
first instar
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

This is a brown, hairy Caterpillar with two small red knobs on the back of each segment, and a black tuft of hairs on the back of abdominal segments one and seven. The head is large and speckled in black and white.

later instar
(Photo: courtesy of John Behrens, Asquith Girls High School, NSW)

It feeds on various species of She-Oak ( CASUARINACEAE ), including :

Black She-Oak ( Allocasuarina litoralis ),

Drooping She-Oak ( Allocasuarina verticillata )

River She-Oak ( Casuarina cunninghamiana ),

Swamp She-Oak ( Casuarina glauca ), and

Australian Pine ( Casuarina equisetifolia ).

late instar
(Photo: courtesy of Nick Monaghan, Tewantin, Queensland)

When disturbed, the Caterpillar lets go, and drops to the ground. It grows to a length of about 3 cms.

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

It pupates in a cocoon on the foodplant.

female adult
(Photo : courtesy of Lorraine Jenkins, Port Lincoln Junior Primary School, South Australia)

The male and female adult moths are very different. The females are stout and slow, with a wingspan of about 3 cms.

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

The males are smaller (wingspan about 2 cms.), have a more contrasting wing pattern, and fly faster.

male adult
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Victoria)

The species occurs along the coast of eastern Australia, including:

Tasmania, and

female adult
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Victoria)

The eggs are oval and white with a dark spot. They are laid in irregular open groups on leaves of a food tree.