Euproctis lutea (Fabricius, 1775)
(one synonym: Porthesia chrysophila)
LYMANTRIIDAE

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

(updated 5 July 2004)

The eggs of this species are laid in an irregular string on an sheltered surface, and covered in yellow scales.


newly hatched Caterpillars

One Caterpillar was found in Bundaberg, Queensland, feeding on the fruit of:

  • Tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum, SOLANACEAE ),

    but in Darwin it is commonly found on:

  • Freshwater Mangroves ( Barringtonia acutangula, BARRINGTONIACEAE ), and
  • Billy Goat Plum ( Planchonia careya, LECYTHIDACEAE ).


    (Specimen: courtesy of Carole Daymond, Bundaberg)

    It is also said to feed on :

  • Begonias ( Begonia species, BEGONIACEAE ),
  • Forget-me-not ( Myosotis arvensis, BORAGINACEAE ), and
  • Roses ( Rosa odorata, ROSACEAE ).


    (Photo: courtesy of Evan Harris)

    The Caterpillar is black and hairy, with a wide white line running along the length of the abdomen, and a wide white spot on the thorax. One notable characteristic of the Caterpillar is its defence stance. The end closer to the head bends downward at about 90 degrees from the forward tufts and the body becomes quite rigid.

    The Caterpillar grows to a length of about 1.5 cms. It pupates in a sparse cocoon in a sheltered spot away from its food plant.


    The adult moth has a hairy brown body. The forewings are yellow with two faint paler zigzag lines across each one. The hindwings are plain yellow. It has a wingspan of about 3 cms.


    (Photo: courtesy of Evan Harris)

    It occurs over the whole northern half of Australia, and possibly in New Guinea.


    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

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