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Pomaderris Moth -caterpillar

Casbia melanops

Photo by Leuba Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

A 20 mm long caterpillar looping it's way across a leaf. It was mostly green but had tinges of brown. I could clearly see the thoracic legs and two prolegs. When I touched the leaf it was on, the caterpillar stretched out holding it's thoracic legs in and pretended to be a stick.

Habitat:

On a Hazel Pomaderris ( Pomaderris aspera) plant- suburban back yard

Notes:

This is a late instar. When it pupates it will build a shelter of silk between leaves of the food plant. <br> I have never seen much activity around or on a pomaderris plant so it was lovely to see a looper feeding on the leaves. The adult moth has a distinct black spot on each wing. <br> https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:3… <br> Family: Geometridae <br>Subfamily: Ennominae

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

Thanks Neil. I went back to get better shots but couldn't see the catty. Sorry it's a little blurry !
Wonderful spotting, Leuba. Awesome notes too, much are always appreciated.

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