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Gum-Leaf Skeletoniser

Uraba lugens

Photo by CataAna
Published on Project Noah
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-35.3081, 149.124

Field Notes

Description:

Pretty small, around 1.5cm long. They were on both sides of the Eucalyptus leaf, very neatly arranged.

Habitat:

On Eucalyptus tree, Australia

Notes:

When I got closer they all lifted their tails, a bit creepy.

Species ID Suggestions

Leaf beetle larvae

Chrysomelidae
Janet13
1

Gum-Leaf Skeletoniser

Uraba lugens

Reference Link
lori.tas
2

Sawfly larvae (spitfires)

Pergidae

Reference Link
dhobern
2

Comments (5)
MartinL
These sawfly larvae are labelled incorrectly. Gum Leaf Skeletonizer caterpillars are hairy and different to these grubs as can be easily checked in the Uraba link. Donald Hobern is correct.
dhobern
These aren't caterpillars. They're sawfly larvae. The caterpillar of the gum-leaf skeletoniser is very distinctive. See the images in the Gallery tab here: http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Uraba%20lugens They are hairy and have a stack of old head capsules from their younger stages. I don't know the species but these clusters of larvae like the ones in your image are from some species in the family Pergidae - see http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Pergidae
CataAna
Thanks Lori! It is a rather common looking moth... I thought I was onto something more exciting.
CataAna
Thanks Joe! I'd really like to know what they are and what they will become :) I'll check on them tomorrow to see if they've changed size/appearance at all and kept the same neat formation.
Joe Goodman
That is odd to see them lined up like that. I don't know if we have whatever that is in California, but i will have to check the Eucalyptus trees in my yard.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Earth Week 2011
Photographed
PublishedApril 23, 2011

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