Culama rhytiphorus (Lower, 1893)
(one synonym: Cossus mesogeia)
COSSINAE, COSSIDAE

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

(updated 5 October 2004)


The Caterpillars of this species are red, and bore into the trunks of :

  • Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ).

    They live just under the bark in galleries. They pupate either in their gallery or in holes in the soil, in oval cocoons.


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

    The grey adult moths have a tracery of dark lines over the forewings. The wingspan is about 4 cms.

    The eggs are laid singly, and lie sideways.

    The species is found in Queensland and New South Wales.


    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common, Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 270.


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