Anthelidae

Moths of the West Coast

Anthelidae.

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Omphaliodes obscura

(Photo. 902. L.Jenkins. 2002.)

The Omphaliodes obscura is found over much of lower Eyre Peninsula but they are loosely scattered or live in small groups. I have caught them from mid November until mid July, which is a long span. I wonder if they have a disorganised breeding pattern or two cycles.

I have been fortunate enough to find an obscura caterpillar ( completely by accident, I might add), on an Acacia leiophylla bush.

(867 Obscura caterpillar)

The male moth emerged from a lightly woven cocoon, in our classroom.

(Photo.879. L. Jenkins. 2002.)

The caterpillar was found in early October 2002, and pupated on the leaf on October.24th, in a neat, loosely woven cocoon. The male moth emerged after 29 days on the 22nd. November.

(Photo.003. L.Jenkins.)

The emerging obscura moth was small, but very obviously a male. I asked Mr. Ted Edwards to identify it just to be sure. I will continue to search for more caterpillars throughout the year, around the area, and in particular, on the same bushes the caterpillar was found.

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Pterolocera.sp.

(Photo.043. L. Jenkins. 2002.)

This bronze Pterolocera was found at Little Swamp, about 5.kms. from Port Lincoln. It measures 3.5 cms. across and has delicate dotted lines across the forewings. The body is hairy , and the antennae well feathered.

(Photo.171 L.Jenkins. 2005))

During the winter of 2002 I found some of the caterpillars on the grass around Pt. Lincoln and raised them to adulthood. They eat native grasses (Lepidospera laterale...Variable Sword Sedge.) and emerge from the ground to feed at night. They pupate in the ground in a hairy cocoon and emerge in Feb-March.

(Photo.15. L. Jenkins. 2003.)

(Photo. 906. eggs from Bronze.L. Jenkins.2003.)

The female is a dark hairy grub and lays her eggs on the grass roots. I intend doing a more thorough study this winter.

The eggs laid by this female were infertile, and can be seen with bits of sand stuck onto them.

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Anthela ocellata.

(Photo.237.male moth.. L.Jenkins. 2002.)

The Anthela ocellata was found at Little Swamp, in 2002. It is a patterned, light brown and cream with two striking spots on the forewings. It measures about 4.cms across the outstretched wings. The head and thorax is very hairy and a mid brown colour.

More recently caterpillars were found at Northshields, eating the common lawn Buffalo grass. Found July 7th 2007,

( Photo.531. Jly 7 2007. L. Jenkins.)

Pupated week later.

(Photo.682. cocoon...L.Jenkins)

Female and male moths emerged Sept 25th 2007.

( Photo 677. female emerged.. L. Jenkins)

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Anthela Rubeola (Felder)

(Photo.41. L.Jenkins.2002.)

This specimen was caught in the township of Coffin Bay, about 37.km from Pt. Lincoln. It has a wingspan of 5.cms, and is a deep maroon, brown colour.

I found larvae and had them make a cocoon in mid August, emerging on the 6th of September 2005.

(photo. 456. L. Jenkins 2006)

The caterpillars fed on Acacia leiophlla growing at Coffin Bay.

(Photo.130. L.Jenkins. 2003.)

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Anthela varia.(Walker 1855)

(Photo. eggs of varia. L. Jenkins.2002.)

Eggs laid by captive moth on March.18.2002. First caterpillar hatched April.9th.2002....in 22. days.

The new caterpillars eat some of their egg shell.

(Photo. 009. L.Jenkins)

As the caterpillars grow they shed their skin. They usually rest for a couple of days to do this. They emerge with the yellow colouring, which changes to white.

(Photo. 267. yellow colouring after just shedding.)

We were able to rear the caterpillars on South Australian Blue Gum and Pepper tree leaves.

(Photo.269.shows the contrast . L.Jenkins.2002.)

The caterpillars reached 7.cms in October and made tightly woven cocoons in rolled pieces of bark on 5th. October.2002.

(Photo. 815. L. Jenkins.)

Our male Anthelid varia emerged from his cocoon on 18th December.2002.

(Photo.874. L. Jenkins.)

We now know that Anthelid varias are found around Pt. Lincoln. S.A. We are raising about 30 this year and they are flourishing in the classroom.

Sept.10.2003. Caterpillars are about 7.cms. and I put bark into the container

as they will soon be pupating.

(Photo.271. 7.cm. varia gripping onto stick.)

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Anthela basigera (Walker 1865)

(Photo.14. L.Jenkins. 2003)

The Basigera is found during the autumn months at Pt. Lincoln, and has an attractive wavy pattern on its wings. They are not to be confused with the Anthela denticulata and Anthela oressarcha (Turner) in Victoria and New South Wales respectively. The wing patterns can vary slightly as we found studying our own specimens.

(Photo.299.L. Jenkins. 2002)

Last winter 2002, we found a Basigera caterpillar and it also made its cocoon in the ground. It was a magnificent red and black, caterpillar with white tufts of hair.

This caterpillar was found with the basigeras but am unsure if its name as we were unable to rear it.