White Cedar Tree Caterpillar

Caterpillar of the White Cedar Moth - Leptocneria reducta. Specimen photographed approx. 30-40mm, black and copper-coloured head, brown body with irregular yellow stripes along length, long hairs and serious spiky clusters over entire body. This species feeds on Melia azedarach, commonly known as the White Cedar or Cape Lilac Tree. The caterpillars live communally and are very destructive, and deemed a pest. They come out of hiding in the evening when they swarm the tree trunk and the branches to get to the leaves, which they eat. The caterpillars feed communally until the tree becomes defoliated. At this point they will start searching for a new host, sometimes invading buildings in their search. http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/lyma/reducta.html for additional information.