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Lithosiinae cocoon

Anestia sp.

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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-37.894, 145.311

Field Notes

Description:

Pupa tapered both ends ribbed and sectioned 25mm long and sorrounded by a very light and flimsy cocoon about 50mm long. The cocoon is a regular, open matrix of coarse hairs forming diamond shaped openings.
On the underside of swampy gum leaf (e. ovata?)

Habitat:

Suburban back yard fringing eucalyptus forest

Notes:

Such a cocoon may be good enough to protect the pupa from parasitic wasps with long ovipositors. (martinl) <br>
Caterpillar http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/9989608 <br>
Male moth http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/21568123 <br>
Female with eggs http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1208666023

Reference Links:

Anestia ombrophanes, Anestia ombrophanes

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
dotun55
Got a collection of these guys already. Keep it up!
bayucca
Argy Bee?? Unfortunately I am not very familiar with this species, but after checking them during a search for the one from Costa Rica I think you might be correct.
Leuba Ridgway
Yes, interesting - how some creatures have evolved to exihibit such "intelligence" ! it's nature, I guess.....
Mark Ridgway
Good information martinl that would explain why it was inactive. It was done. Thanks.
MartinL
Sometimes this is enough of a cocoon. This is useful to keep some predators away, for example a ichneumon wasp cannot reach it.

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Photographed
PublishedDecember 23, 2011

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