Hellinsia balanotes (Meyrick, 1908)
(one synonym: Pterophorus aquila)
PTEROPHORIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Debbie Matthews Lott & Stella Crossley

(updated 27 June 2009)

Hellinsia balanotes

This caterpillar is buff with sparse hairs, and two thorn-like spines at the tip of the abdomen. It has a brown head and tail, and it also has a brown spiracle on each side of each abdominal segment.

Hellinsia balanotes Close-up of Caterpillar head.

The Caterpillar was imported from Florida into Australia to control the weed:

  • Groundsel Bush ( Baccharis halimifolia , ASTERACEAE ).

    The caterpillar is also reported to feed on various other ASTERACEAE, including:

  • Great-Plains Falsewillow ( Baccharis salicina ),
  • Roosevelt Weed ( Baccharis neglecta ), and
  • Saltwater Falsewillow ( Baccharis angustifolia ).

    It grows to a length of about 1.5 cms.

    Hellinsia balanotes Pupa with scale showing 2 mm.

    The adult moth has a wingspan of about 3 cms. It occurs naturally in southern USA, and northern Mexico.

    Hellinsia balanotes

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