These caterpillars live in tunnels lined with silk in the ground, and emerge at night to feed on nearby vegetation, particularly grass ( POACEAE ). They normally live underground for two years.

The adult moths often emerge after rain, and have brown forewings with a pattern of dark spots, and plain brown hindwings.

(Photo: courtesy of Ken Harris, Morwell Park, Victoria)

The males fly zigzag paths looking for females. The females are inclined to perch on grass stems awaiting a mate. After mating, the female lays eggs while crawling over the ground or in a fluttering flight at low level. The wingspan is about 6 cms.

(Picture courtesy of CSIRO Entomology)

The species is found in :

Victoria.

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Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, fig. 18.5, pp. 67, 145, 150.

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(updated 23 May 2010)