Epicoma contristis

Epicoma contristis Hubner, 1823
(one synonym : Bombyx tristis)
THAUMETOPOEINAE , NOTODONTIDAE

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

(updated 22 February 2006)

The early instars of this Caterpillar are gregarious, feeding by day. Later instars are solitary. They occasionally may be seen in procession, each following the silken thread left by the one in front.

The Caterpillar is dark grey and hairy. Its head capsule is white with red sides bordered with black. The true legs are red and the prolegs are orange. There is also an orange lateral line along each side, with a row of orange spots above it. The body is speckled with yellow dots.

The Caterpillar has been found feeding on the foliage of:

She Oak ( Casuarina, CASUARINACEAE ),

Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ),

Tea Trees ( Leptospermum, MYRTACEAE ), and

Paper Barks ( Melaleuca, MYRTACEAE ).

The Caterpillars grow to a length of about 3 cms.

When the Caterpillar is mature, it pupates in a sparse elliptical cocoon amongst the leaves of its foodplant.

The adults have fore wings that are dark brown speckled with silver flecks, with a row of orange spots along the termen, and a subterminal row of cream spots. The central area of each fore wing has a dark ring with a yellow dot in the middle.

The hind wings are dark brown with an orange border. The abdomen is black with orange dorsal spots and an orange anal tuft. When the moth is threatened, it is inclined to lie down and look dead, with its wings lifted high and the abdomen curved under, displaying this orange tuft.

display behaviour

The species is found from Cape York to Tasmania. The Caterpillars and adults are very similar to those of Epicoma tristis. The only superficial difference appears to be the absence of the two long white hairs which grow behind the head of Caterpillars of Epicoma tristis.