Grapevine Moth, Phalaenoides glycinae
Mid March 2007
This caterpillar was housed in a tank for a child to look at. It was eating for a few days, and then stopped, but started to move frantically around the tank. The family was expecting a cocoon, but it continued to pace around the cage. Different, thicker sticks were placed in the tank, thinking it would be a better substrate to spin a cocoon. Immediately, the caterpillar started to tunnel into the dead blackwood branches. Over a few hours it had completely burrowed in the wood, where it pupated for the next 10 months.
Late January 2008
Hobart
The emerged adult.
Mid March 2007
Hobart
Identification thanks to Don Herbison-Evans
Late November 2007
Buckland
Images by Elizabeth Daley, used with permission.
