Doratifera vulnerans

Doratifera vulnerans (Lewin, 1805)
(previously known as : Bombyx vulnerans)
Mottled Cup Moth
LIMACODIDAE

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

(updated 31 January 2008)

The eggs of this species are laid in clusters of 40 or so on a leaf of the foodplant, and are covered by hair by the mother moth.

Initially the Caterpillars feed communally, eating only the surface layer of the leaves. Later instars separate, and take one leaf each, which they eat away completely.

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

The Caterpillars vary from green through grey to red, but all have a pair of yellow and green saddle-like marks on the back which have a white arc at each end, and a black outline.

grey form
(Photo: courtesy of Anthea Flemming)

Along the sides of the Caterpillar are pale green fleshy spikes, like a skirt. The Caterpillars move like slugs because their legs are reduced. The Caterpillars normally feed on:

Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ),

although they have also been found feeding on:

Paper Barks ( Melaleuca, MYRTACEAE ),

Guava ( Psidium guajava, MYRTACEAE ), and

Apricot ( Prunus armeniaca, ROSACEAE ).

grey form Caterpillar everting its stinging spines
(Photo: courtesy of Benoit Panassie)

On the thorax and last two segments are raised knobs: four at each end. Coloured stinging hairs are protruded from these when the Caterpillar is disturbed.

red form Caterpillar everting its stinging spines
(Photo: courtesy of Chris Greenaway at Kyogle, NSW)

Anyone accidentally brushing against an overhanging branch of a Gum tree occupied by these Caterpillars will know why they are called 'Spitfires'.

grey form Caterpillar everting its stinging spines
(Photo: courtesy of Steve Brendish, Kew, Victoria)

The caterpillars do not actually spit at all. It is just the spines that sting.

The caterpillar grows to a length of about 2 cms. Oddly, it pupates in a much smaller cocoon, typically with a diameter of about 1 cm. The pupa is enclosed in a round brown cocoon, attached often to underside of a stem of the foodplant. The Caterpillar coats the cocoon with a special liquid which makes it hard and smooth. The cocoon has a ring of weakness around the top. Later, when the adult emerges, it does so by breaking the cocoon along this ring, pushing off a round cap, and leaving behind a little cup containing the empty chrysalis.

Cocoons showing pupal skins left after the adult moths have emnerged

The adults have a dark brown abdomen and light brown wings. Each fore wing is mottled except for the terminal area which is pale grey, and the outer area, which has a row of dark brown spots plus an indistinct discal spot. The hind wings are uniformly light brown. The moths have a wingspan of about 4 cms.

They characteristically sit on a twig with the body nearly perpendicular to the twig with their wings folded so that the tips overhang the twig.

The Caterpillars have been found along the eastern side of Australia. including

Queensland,

New South Wales, and

Victoria,
from Bundaberg to Melbourne.