SPORTSMAN CREEK CONSERVATION AREA

“These caterpillars construct a case of silk. Most camoflage it with pieces of material from their environment, often characteristically chosen and arranged by that species”‘

Reference courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans and Stella Crossley and further reading available  at -

http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/psyc/psychidae.html

“Saw Fly larvae are not true caterpillars but are the larvae of various species of  wasps. They have 3 pairs of true legs and up to 8 pair of prolegs (true caterpillars only have up to 5 pair of prolegs).” Different varieties feed on varied tree species across the wildlife refuge.

Further reference available ; australian-insects.com/lepidoptera/none/sawfly.html

Found feeding on Fireweed ( Senecio madagascariensis ) in the wildlife refuge. These moths are reported to feed on Asteraceae.

I.D. courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans.

Further reading; http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/plants/asta/asteraceae.html

Image taken of  20mm caterpillar feeding on Acacia leiocalyx. “The female moths are flightless, however are found over most of Australia. Newly hatched caterpillars have a special way of dispersing by spinning threads of silk which are caught in the wind. This species has recently (1999) been recorded in New Zealand”.

I.D. and reference courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans.

Further reading;  http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/lyma/anart.html

” Most of the caterpillars have two pair of  prolegs. They move by curving their bodies into loops. They are sometimes called “Inchworms”, usually hairless with  a slender green or brown body”. Found on a Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsia) at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge.

Further reference; http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_loopers/GEOMERRIDAE.htm

Image taken with caterpillar feeding in Acacia longiflora on the wildlife refuge. “Caterpillar is buff coloured, with black, white and yellow stripes along its body, and a pale brown head. The body is covered  sparsely in stiff  white hairs. It lives and pupates communally in a silken web of leaves and frass on its food plant”

I.D. courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans.

Further reference; http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/pyra/pyrast.html

Image taken today near the billabong on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. “Cream with striking black markings and rows of black outlined  yellow-orange spots along the abdomen. It has two blunt horns on its head. The head hangs downwards by a silk  Cremaster  from the food plant.”

Scroll image to enlarge and magnify.

Further reference;     http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymp/androm.html

Image taken in riparian zone on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge of possibly (Acraea andromacha) or Glasswing Butterfly which are common. These caterpillar feed on Passiflora and Violaceae (Spade Flower).

“The pupa is enclosed in a round brown cocoon, attached often to the stem of the food plant, usually eucalyptus species. The caterpillar coats the cocoon with a special liquid which makes it hard and smooth. The cocoon has a ring of weakness around the top. Later, when the adult emerges, it does so by breaking the cocoon along the ring, pushing off a rounded cap and leaving behind a little cup (hence the name) with the empty chrysalis.” Image taken on Swamp Turpentine sapling at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge late summer.

Reference and I.D. courtesy  of  Don Herbison-Evans.