White Underwings Moth III - Achaea sp.
Family Noctuidae
This page contains pictures and information about White Underwings Moths that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Length 60mm
- We found this caterpillars on May 2008, near Buhot Creek, Stringybark Trail. There were quite a number of caterpillars actively feeding the host plants during the day. We did not found the moth yet.
- Robert Whyte advised that the host plant is a weed in Brisbane - Castor
Oil Plant (Ricinus communis) - it would be very good if something
could eat it all. The seeds contain the Ricin, a protein toxin. Ingestion of
2 to 8 seeds has resulted in death in adults.
- We found one large caterpillar on 3 May 2009. We believe it would became pupa very soon so we took it home with some host leaves. After two days it became a pupa in a rather scant silk cocoon.
- On 3 Jun 2009, a moth came out from the pupa.
- Notice the mouth-opening pattern on the back of the caterpillar. Why is that pattern? Please check the Threaten Sign page.
- Reference:
- 1. Achaea janata (Linnaeus, 1758) - Australian Caterpillars, by Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley, 2008.
- 2. Ricinis communis (EUPHORBIACEAE) Castor oil plant - by Robert Whyte, Save Our Waterways Now 2008.
- Back to Top
