Cryptoptila australana (Lewin, 1805)
(previously known as: Tortix australana)
Leaf Roller Moth
TORTRICINAETORTRICIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Pat & Mike Coupar and Stella Crossley

(updated 2 September 2008)


(Photo from: "Flying Colours", Coupar & Coupar, 1992)

This Caterpillar is brownish green with orange spots and sparse white hairs all over its body. It feeds on:

  • Elderberry Panax ( Polyscias sambucifolia, ARALIACEAE ),

    living in a communal shelter of leaves joined with silk on the foodplant. It grows to a length of about 3 cms.

    It pupates in its shelter.


    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The adult has grey wings with rusty brown markings. The moth has a wingspan of about 3 cms.

    It occurs over south-eastern Australia.


    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 32, 278.


    Flying Colours, New South Wales University Press, Sydney 1992, p. 90.


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