Chenuala heliaspis (Meyrick, 1891)
(one synonym : Ocneria rufa)
Rose Anthelid
 ANTHELINAE ,   ANTHELIDAE

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

Chenuala heliaspis

This is a yellow and red hairy Caterpillar with a pair of black hair pencils on its thorax. The hairs on the head and tail are pink. It feeds on the foliage of various trees:

  • Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ),
  • Wattle ( Acacia, MIMOSACEAE ), and
  • Pine ( Pinus, PINACEAE ).

    It grows to a length of 5 cms, and pupates in a cocoon in the foodplant foliage.

    Chenuala heliaspis
    Male imago
    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The adult moths are dimorphic. The male is brown with deep orange hindwings, and has a wingspan of about 6 cms.

    Chenuala heliaspis
    Female imago
    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The female is paler and has a wingspan of about 7 cms.

    The species is found in:

  • New South Wales,
  • Queensland, and
  • Victoria.

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, fig 38.13, pl. 13.9, p. 396.

    Pat and Mike Coupar,
    Flying Colours, New South Wales University Press, Sydney 1992, p. 29.

    Peter Marriott,
    Moths of Victoria: Vol 1: Bombycoidea,
    Entomological Society of Victoria, 2008, pp. 20-21.

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    (updated 29 April 2011)