Periscepta polysticta

Periscepta polysticta (Butler, 1875)
AGARISTINAE , NOCTUIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Ian F.B. Common & Stella Crossley

Periscepta polysticta
(Photo from: Moths of Australia)

This Caterpillar is black with cream spots, and has a cream stripe along each side. It also has a brown rump and a brown head. It is reported to feed on:

Hibbertia fasciculata ( DILLENIACEAE ) and

Hibbertia obtusifolia ( DILLENIACEAE ).

(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The adult moth is black with white spots of various sizes scattered all over the forewings, and a white margin to each of the hindwings. The body is black with a yellow tuft on the end of the abdomen.

underside
(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The species occurs over much of mainland Australia, including

Queensland,

New South Wales,

Victoria,

South Australia, and

Western Australia.

(Photo: courtesy of Jim Foster, taken at Googong Dam, New South Wales)

Specimen probably damaged by a bird
(Photo: courtesy of Ted Cadwallader)