Green Cutworm, Neumichtis spumigera
cf.
Early April 2013
Franklin
Attracted to light.
cf.
Early January 2013
Franklin
Attracted to light.
Reared moth:
August 5 2017
Collected from urban garden.
Hobart
The caterpillar fed on Nasturtium, a brassica weed, iceberg lettuce.
August 10 2017
Same caterpillar but later instar
August 13 2017
August 14 2017
Due to the shiny rounded look substrate such as soil, sticks and litter were added to the tank to work out what it needed for pupation.
August 17 2017
The caterpillar had built a retreat in soil. It fed overnight and returned to the retreat during the day.
August 19 2017
Caterpillar in retreat, and removed from it.
August 22 2017
The cocoon covered in dirt and debris
September 28 2017
Emergence hole
It may be a coincidence but the soil was sprayed with water for the first time, 2 days before.
Discarded pupal exuvium. Note the shed caterpillar head to the upperleft. I think the pupal genitalia indicate male?
The caterpillar head.
September 28 2017
The moth.
Once released to the same patch of garden where the caterpillar was collected the moth stayed still on the soil and made an inconvenient and rapid running exit to hide in the vegetation. It made no attempt to fly.
