Porela delineata

Porela delineata (Walker, 1855)
(previously known as : Tacillia delineata)
LASIOCAMPINAE , LASIOCAMPIDAE

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

Porela delineata
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Victoria)

This caterpillar is grey with long hairs. There are black tufts along the back, and the head has two black stripes. The caterpillar has been found on various plants in MYRTACEAE, including :

White Ironbark ( Eucalyptus leucoxylon ), and

Tea Tree ( Leptospermum species ).

(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Victoria)

Pupation occurs in a white elliptical cocoon spun among the leaves of the foodplant.

(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Victoria)

The moth is grey with a fine intricate pattern on the forewings of white and brown. Each forewing has a white spot near the middle. The hindwings are plain off-white, often each with a diffuse darker band. The moth has a wingspan of about 3 cms.