Nisista species
 NACOPHORINI, ENNOMINAE,
GEOMETRIDAE

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

(updated 12 May 2005)


first instar
(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

These Caterpillars are initially black with white patches. Later they become brown, shading to rusty red on the back and greenish underneath.. They feed on a variety of plants, including:

  • various bipinnate Wattles ( Acacia, MIMOSACEAE ).


    mature larva
    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

    The adult moths are pale brown with dark markings. At rest, the moths hold their wings folded like a tent.


    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

    The eggs are oval with rows of fine dimples. Initially the eggs are pale yellowish green, later becoming red as hatching approaches.


    eggs, magnified
    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

    Further reading :

    Peter B. McQuillan,
    An overview of the Tasmanian geometrid moth fauna (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and its conservation status,
    Journal of Insect Conservation, Volume 8, Issues 2 & 3, June 2004, pp. 209-220.

    Catherine J. Young,
    Characterisation of the Australian Nacophorini and a Phylogeny for the Geometridae from Molecular and Morphological Data, Ph.D. thesis, University of Tasmania, 2003.

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