living communally in a silk web built on the plant. In the wild, they have been found feeding on :

They grow to a length of about 2 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of Donald Hobern)

The adult moth has forewings that can vary from fawn to dark brown, sometimes with a pattern, The hindwings are pale brown with a satin sheen. The moth has a wingspan of about 2 cms.

It is a very common species in eastern Australia, and is probably the most widespread and common crambid in Australia. It appears to be able to fly long distances, as outbreaks of this pest occur in diverse areas. Its coverage includes:

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, Fig. 33.20, pp. 66, 354, 357.

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(updated 26 March 2011)