Asura lydia

Asura lydia (Donovan, 1805)
(one synonym : Setina pectinata)
LITHOSIINAE , ARCTIIDAE , NOCTUOIDEA

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

Asura lydia larva
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

This species has a furry grey Caterpillar, although the hair is noticeably absent from between the segments. When the Caterpillar is disturbed, it curls into a tight spiral.

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

It has been found on a wide variety of herbaceous plants, but is thought actually to eat leaf litter or

Lichen.

It grows to length of about 1 cm. It pupates on a leaf or wall in a sparse cocoon covered in grey hairs from its own skin.

female
(Photo: courtesy of Ian McMillan, Imbil, Queensland)

The moth emerges after about a fortnight in summer or several months across winter. It is small, and black and yellow, with a wingspan of about 1.5 cms.

male
(Photo: courtesy of Nick Monaghan, Tewantin, Queensland)

The males are distinguished by having feathery antennae, whereas the females have simpler filamentous antennae.

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

The female lays her eggs in a spaced array on a leaf. The eggs are pale yellow and rounded.

(Photo: courtesy of Nick Monaghan, Tewantin, Queensland)

The species is found in the southern half of Australia, including

Victoria,

New South Wales, and

Queensland.