The Caterpillars have a narrow thorax and wider abdomen and head. They move like loopers, as they only have 2 pairs of prolegs. They are initially green with white lines. The head is green with white lines too. When disturbed, the caterpillar bends its head right back, and thrashes from side to side.

later instar

Later instars become grey with black spots and a black line down the back. They grow to length of about 7 cm.

(Photo: courtesy of Jan MacDonald, Finch Hatton, Queensland)

They feed communally at first but separate when older, feeding on various trees of the plant family CAESALPINIACEAE, including :

Poinciana ( Delonix regia ).

Pupation occurs in a cocoon covered in debris on the ground some distance from the foodplant. The cocoon has a length of about 2 cms.

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

The adult moth is brown with a complex pattern of dark lines and patches, and often with some white areas.

(Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda)

The moth is very variable in its coloration. The legs are dark brown with white joints. The wingspan is about 4 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda)

The species occurs in south-east Asia including :

Queensland
in Australia.

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Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 452.

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