Entometa apicalis

Entometa apicalis (Walker, 1855)
(previously known as : Lebeda apicalis)
LASIOCAMPINAE , LASIOCAMPIDAE

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

Entometa apicalis
(Photo: courtesy of Donald Hobern, Aranda)

These caterpillars are brown and blotchy. They have a knob on the tail, and two fleshy horns behind the head. The horns are erected when the caterpillar is annoyed.

two caterpillars annoying each other
(Photo: courtesy of Donald Hobern, Aranda)

The caterpillars are thought to feed on the foliage of

Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus species, MYRTACEAE ).

female
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Melbourne)

The adult moths of this species have brown forewings with dark markings, and orange hindwings.

male
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Melbourne)

The males are smaller than, and have similar coloration to, the females, but have forewings that are narrower and have darker markings. The males have feathery antennae, and the females have thread-like antennae. The wingspan of the males is about 7 cms. The wingspan of the females is about 9 cms.

female
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Melbourne)

The species is found in south-eastern Australia, including:

Australian Capital Territory,

Tasmania, and

Victoria.

male
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Melbourne)