Cryptophasa irrorata (A Gelechioid moth (Xyloryctidae))
The Caterpillar of this species has sparse stiff bristles all over, including the head. The body is basically grey. The head is brown and crinkled. The prothorax is white with two dark marks. The mesothorax is grey with a pattern of several red knobs. The metathorax is grey with some dark lines, but no knobs. The abdomen has several red knobs on each segment.
The caterpillar lives in a tunnel bored into a branch of a She Oak ( Casuarina species, Casurarinaceae ). The caterpillar feeds on twiglets brought into its tunnel at night. Some twiglets are attached to the frass and silk cover of the entrance to its tunnel. The caterpillar pupates in its tunnel.
The adult moths are grey with a subtle pattern of markings on the forewings.The sexes are slightly dimorphic. The females are inclined to have a bolder pattern than the males. The moths have a wingspan of about 4 cms.
Cryptophasa irrorata is listed in the following regions:
Canberra & Southern Tablelands | South Coast | Barwon South West | Greater Brisbane
Species information
- Cryptophasa irrorata Scientific name
- A Gelechioid moth (Xyloryctidae) Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 633.6m Recorded at altitude
- Machine learning
- External link More information
