This caterpillar is fat in the middle and pointed at both ends. It is green with a pale yellow stripe along the dorsal ridge. Actually the point at the head end is a just a shield that it pulls down over its grey head when it feels threatened.

(Photo: courtesy of Wendy Moore, near Coburg, Victoria)

The caterpillar feeds on the foliage of

Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus species, MYRTACEAE ).

(Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda)

The adult moth has freckly brown forewings, each with three orange and two white spots near the middle. The hindwings and abdomen are brown, and the thorax is off-white and hairy. The wingspan is about 3 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of Jeff Keyes, Sportsman Creek Wildlife Refuge)

The species occurs over much of Australia, including

Western Australia.

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(updated 22 August 2011)