Chloroclystis approximata

Chloroclystis approximata (Walker, 1869)
(erroneously: Chloroclytis pyretodes)
Cherry Looper Moth
EUPITHECIINI , LARENTIINAE , GEOMETRIDAE

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

(updated 18 April 2008)

(Photo: courtesy of Merlin Crossley)

The Caterpillars of this species vary from green to yellow to brown. Their name comes from their habit of feeding on flowers and young fruit. They have been found feeding on:

Cherry ( Prunus avium, ROSACEAE ),

Apple ( Malus domestica, ROSACEAE ), and

Silver Wattle ( Acacia dealbata, MIMOSACEAE ).

They remain well hidden by wrapping themselves around the flowers.

(Photo: courtesy of Merlin Crossley)

The adults vary from green to grey with a grey pattern but the green specimens fade to grey after death. In their resting position, they have their wings outspread, which makes them difficult to see when resting on the bark of a tree. The moths have a wingspan of about 4 cms.