Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Lichen Moth Cocoon, adult female and eggs-part 1
Anestia sp.
-37.894, 145.311
Field Notes
Description:
An oval-shaped ?cocoon about 30mm x 15mm x 15mm. It had what looked like a fine silky matrix with fine black bristles tucked through in a random fashion. The centre of this cocoon appeared thicker and probably contained the pupal remains of the female moth. The entire outside of the cocoon had a single layer of small pearly bubbles of various shapes - some looked biconcave. Some of these little bubbles appeared to have a brown speck inside them.
On the outside of the cocoon and on the lower side was the wingless female moth that had laid the eggs ( pic 4).
Habitat:
The cocoon was between two weather boards.
Notes:
I am hoping to catch any development within the cocoon or changes in the structure - will post more pictures soon, hopefully.
If anyone knows what this is or has seen anything similar, please let me know. Thanks.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8685784 shows changes to the cocoon and caterpillars that emerged..... <br>
Family: Arctiidae
Have got the right ID for this after 3 years. Thanks to my husband. The wingless female Footman Moths or Lichen Moths of the Anestia genus appear to make these hair cocoons and lay their eggs on top of them. They remain beside the cocoon after this apparently arduous task. Here are links to 2 species of this moth. <br>
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/arct/ombroph.html <br>
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/arct/semioc.html
Comments (8)