Metrocampa biplaga

Metrocampa biplaga (Walker, 1869)
(previously known as : Campaea biplaga)
LITHININI , ENNOMINAE , GEOMETRIDAE

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

(updated 23 April 2005)

early instar
(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

These caterpillars when young are green with black dots, sparse hairs, and a yellow head.

late instar
(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

Later instars develop red coloration around the head and thorax. They feed on :

Bracken ( Pteridium esculentum, DENNSTAEDTIACEAE ).

caterpillar head, magnified
(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

The adult moth is orange-brown with a submarginal row of dark spots. and a dark outlined circle near the centre of each forewing. The forewings have hooktips and a marginal cusp.

(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

The eggs are spherical and white, developing red markings as hatching approaches.

eggs, magnified
(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

The species is found southern Australia.