and grows to a length of 6 cms.

Upset showing everted osmeterium under the head
(Photo: courtesy of Ian McMillan, Imbil, Queensland)

When upset: it rears its head and tail in the air. From under the head it everts a red appendage,

Upset showing eyespots on tail
(Photo: courtesy of Ian McMillan, Imbil, Queensland)

and shows a pair of eyespots under its tail (normally hidden in folds of skin).

(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

It pupates in a cocoon in the ground litter.

The adult moth is rather dull compared to its Caterpillar, having forewings speckled dark grey, and pale orange hind wings. It has a wingspan of about 6 cms.

(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pl. 17.12, pp. 36, 421.

Pat and Mike Coupar,
Flying Colours, New South Wales University Press, Sydney 1992, p. 78.

Peter Marriott,
Moths of Victoria: Vol 2: Noctuoidea(A),
Entomological Society of Victoria, 2009, pp. 12-13.

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(updated 1 August 2010)