Insects
Moths (Lepidoptera)
Anthelid moths (Anthelidae)
Sighting 4484997

Chelepteryx collesi

White-stemmed Gum Moth at Casey, ACT

Chelepteryx collesi at Casey, ACT - 7 May 2023
Chelepteryx collesi at Casey, ACT - 7 May 2023
Chelepteryx collesi at Casey, ACT - 7 May 2023
Chelepteryx collesi at Casey, ACT - 7 May 2023
Chelepteryx collesi at Casey, ACT - 7 May 2023
Chelepteryx collesi at Casey, ACT - 7 May 2023
Chelepteryx collesi at Casey, ACT - 7 May 2023
Chelepteryx collesi at Casey, ACT - 7 May 2023
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Identification history

Chelepteryx collesi 14 May 2023 donhe
Chelepteryx collesi 14 May 2023 Hejor1
Opodiphthera eucalypti 30 Apr 2023 Hejor1

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User's notes

Cocoon removed and dissected. Pupa still in it’s case was deceased with a hard, crumbly texture. Many burrow holes present. Added tree sighting ID. Can also confirm that the black hairs on the cocoon can pierce skin and are difficult to remove due to their brittleness. Sites are mildly painful while hairs are embedded.

9 comments

donhe wrote:
   30 Apr 2023
I think Saturniidae cocoons are rounder, darker and firmer than this.
Hejor1 wrote:
   3 May 2023
@donhe @ibaird I had a look on http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/anth/chalepteryx.html and the cocoon looks different, plus the sighting was on a eucalyptus which doesn’t seem to match their food. There were 3. Could it be something else? Is it worth me trying to remove one and bring it home to rear?
Hejor1 wrote:
   3 May 2023
@donhe @ibaird maybe http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/anth/collesi.html?
Hejor1 wrote:
   7 May 2023
@donhe and @ibaird I’be updated the photos, description, associated tree with more info. Can you check that the ID is consistent? Thanks!
donhe wrote:
   7 May 2023
I couldn't see the brittle hairs in the photo, but those are characteristic of C. collesi.
Hejor1 wrote:
   13 May 2023
@donhe I’ve added a close up of the cocoon with black hairs
donhe wrote:
   13 May 2023
There are 2 related species Chelepteryx collesi (feeds only on Gum) and Chelepteryx chalepteryx (feeds on Wattle, Exocarpus and Pinaceae). Both have camouflaged cocoons like this. Saturniidae have dark globular cocoons.
donhe wrote:
   14 May 2023
I am confused. Was it on Gum or Pine? Was it 2cms long or 12 cms long
Hejor1 wrote:
   14 May 2023
@donhe sorry. It was on a yellow box. Cocoon is 12cm, pupa case is 4-5cm. I dissected 2 - the first had hatched already and the second was desiccated. I’ve fixed the photos.

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Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • https://canberra.naturemapr.org/sightings/4485647 Associated plant
  • Dermestes sp. https://canberra.naturemapr.org/sightings/4486146 And Ptinus sp. https://canberra.naturemapr.org/sightings/4486218 Associated Insect
  • 50mm or larger Animal size
  • Deceased Animal health

Species information

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  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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