Porela vetusta Walker, 1855
(one synonym : Clathe anthracica Turner, 1902)
 LASIOCAMPINAE ,   LASIOCAMPIDAE

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

Porela vetusta
male
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Victoria)

These caterpillars feed on the foliage of various species in MYRTACEAE, including :

  • Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus ), and
  • Tea Trees ( Leptospermum ).

    Porela vetusta
    female
    (Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Victoria)

    The adults are brown or grey, with a white triangular patch near the inner margin of each forewing. The male moth has a wingspan of about 2.5 cms. The female moth has a wingspan of about 3.5 cms.

    The species is found over the eastern half of Australia, including:

  • New South Wales,
  • Queensland,
  • South Australia Tasmania, and
  • Victoria.

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pls. 12.18,12.19, p. 390.

    Peter Marriott,
    Moths of Victoria: Vol 1: Bombycoidea,
    Entomological Society of Victoria, 2008, pp. 12-13.

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    (updated 13 April 2010)