Sugarcane Looper - Mocis frugalis

Family Noctuidae, subfamily CATOCALINAE

This page contains pictures and information about Sugarcane Looper Moths that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.

Wingspan 40mm

 

This moth is pale brown in colour with diagonal brown/creamy line across wings. 

 

 

 

When we walked across the Eucalyptus forests in Brisbane, we often saw many of these moths. They hide among the grasses on the forest floor. When disturbed, they flied to a meter away, and hind again in the grasses. 

 

 

Length 50mm

 

Their caterpillars are pale green or brown in colour, feed on various grasses and sometimes Sugarcane. They move in looper fashion. They make cocoon and pupate between leaves. We found this caterpillar on grass stem, not exactly sure if this is the caterpillar of this species, anyway it looks very close.  

 

 

 

---

Reference:

1. Moths of Australia - Ian F.B.Common, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p452, fig47.4.

2. Mocis frugalis Fabricius, 1775 - Australian Caterpillars, by Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley, 2008. 

---

 

Back to Top

[ Up ] [ Tricolour Noctuid Moth ] [ Cotton Looper Moth ] [ Granny's Cloak Moth ] [ Brown Noctuid Moth ] [ Common Brown Noctuid Moth ] [ Poinciana Looper Moth ] [ Sugarcane Looper ] [ Triple-banded Moth ] [ Discolor Noctuid Moth ] [ Block Triangle Moths ] [ Croton Caterpillar ] [ Achaea Caterpillar ] [ Guava Moth ] [ Parcemacula Moth - Ophiusa parcemacula ] [ White Banded Moths ] [ Erebus Moth ]

See us in Home page. Download large pictures in Wallpaper web page. Give us comments in Guest Book, or send email. A great way to support us is to buy the Brisbane Insects and Spiders CD.  
Last updated: April 22, 2009.