growing on damp pieces of bark from an old apple tree. The Caterpillar grew to a length of 3 cms.

It pupated inside a cocoon which it spun amongst the twigs.

(Photo: courtesy of Merlin Crossley)

The photograph shows the stiff posture characteristic of the Lithosiinae, or "Footmen", which are a sub-family of the ARCTIIDAE. The adults have a wingspan up to 3 cms. The fore wings are grey-brown with a cream line along the leading edge (costa), and a small transparent window (aereole) on each wing. The hind wings are orange. The absence of yellow marks in the centre of the fore wing distinguishes it from the similar moth: Manulea replana.

(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The species is found over south-eastern Australia including:

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, fig. 44.3, p. 437.

Pat and Mike Coupar,
Flying Colours, New South Wales University Press, Sydney 1992, p. 33.

Peter Marriott,
Moths of Victoria: Vol 2: ARCTIIDAE AND ITS ALLIES,
Entomological Society of Victoria, 2009, pp. 20-21, 26-27.

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(updated 25 May 2010)