Mesodrepta harpotoma

Mesodrepta harpotoma Turner, 1924
THAUMETOPOEINAE , NOTODONTIDAE

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

(updated 25 June 2007)

These Caterpillars are covered in long white bristles, and have a rusty-red mark on the back of each segment. They also have black pencils of hairs on the head and on the penultimate abdominal segment. They were found feeding on:

Black Wattle ( Acacia leiocalyx, MIMOSACEAE )

in Bundaberg, Queensland. Initially they are communal and drop on threads if disturbed.

Later they disperse to become solitary feeders. They stay on their chosen food leaf during the daylight. Their pattern of coloration resembles that of the dead flowers of the foodplant. They grow to a length of about 3 cms.

The adult moths are white, with a dark brown diagonal line across each fore wing, and a dark brown abdomen. They have a wingspan of about 3 cms.