Transverse Moth - Xanthodes transversa
Family Noctuidae
This page contains information about Transverse Moths that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Caterpillar 50mm
- We sometimes find this Transverse Moths caterpillars on our Hibiscus plants in our backyard. When small, the caterpillars are light green in colour. Later they develop yellow bands and black spots. There is the red spot at the end tip which may mislead the predator it is its head.
- We wanted to known what is the adult moth look like. We found a caterpillar on the Hibiscus plant and keep it in a jar. We feed the caterpillar with fresh Hibiscus leaves every day. A few days later, the caterpillar pupate on the bottom of the jar among the plant materials. Two weeks later the adult moth come out.
- Moth wingspan 30mm
- The adult Transverse Moth is yellow in colour, with three brown arrow-shaped lines across each forewing. The back edges of the forewings are dark brown in colour. We opened the jar and put it in our backyard. The moths fly away during the night.
To raise caterpillars is fun, especially if we find an unknown caterpillar. We cannot identify this caterpillar until we found out how their adults look like. To raise caterpillars is easily too. We have raised some caterpillars such as the Wanderer, the Crow , the Orchard Butterflies and the Common Anthelid Moths. You may like to raise one too. Try it yourself next time when you find a caterpillar. Email me if you successfully raise one or if you find any problem.
