Papilio aegeus Caterpillar (PAPILIONADAE)
Published January 26, 2022 | The caterpillar of the Orchard or Citrus Swallowtail Butterfly which grows into one of the largest butterflies found in suburban gardens.
Glasswing Butterfly Pupa (Acraea andromacha)
Published March 22, 2021 | Curious as to how the pupa managed to colour itself with these striking markings I asked Lepidoptera expert Don Herbison-Evans for the answer.
“The Glasswing pupa is naked, devoid of any silk except for the cremaster. Its colours are an exaggeration of those of the last larval instar: yellow spiracles ringed by black joined by a lateral black line.”
A miracle of evolution.
. ”
Mistletoe Day Moth Caterpillar (Comocrus behri)
Published February 17, 2021 | The caterpillar is found on Mistletoe and when disturbed curl their heads back. They are a large attractive day flying moth often mistaken for a butterfly. A new species for the Conservation Area.
I.D. courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans follow link for further references.
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/agar/behri.html
Bush Companion Fauna Species of the Clarence Valley and Northern Rivers
Published January 13, 2016 | The newly published book “Bush Companion Fauna Species of the Clarence Valley and Northern Rivers, New South Wales” is available to purchase direct from the publisher.
This book contains over 310 “full colour plate” fauna species in 250 “perfect bound” pages with both common and scientific names.
Order by email at urimbirra7@gmail.com to reserve your copy.
Price $25 a copy plus postage from Sportsman Creek Press.
Leave a commentPapilio aegeus Caterpillar
Published March 20, 2015 | The caterpillar of the Orchard or Citrus Swallowtail Butterfly. “Although this caterpillar is a pest on suburban lemon trees it is one of the most interesting caterpillars in Australia. Both its structure and its behaviour have evolved to an extraordinary degree to give it protective mechanisms against predators. It also grows into one of the largest butterflies to grace suburban gardens.”
Further reference available at http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/papi/aegeus.html
I.D. courtesy of Don Herbison Evans.
Bag Worms/Case Moth Caterpillars (PSYCHIDAE)
Published February 11, 2011 | 
“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 (Order, HYMENOPTERA)
Published August 20, 2010 | 
“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
Nyctemera species. Arctiinae, Arctiidae, Noctuoidea.
Published May 16, 2010 | 
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
Painted Apple Moth Caterpillar (Teia anartoides) Lymantriidae.
Published April 27, 2010 | 
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
Looper Caterpillar ( Family – Geometridae ).
Published April 19, 2010 | 
” 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