Tuesday 9 January 2018

Not a twig

A chance finding of a pair of caterpillars trying to be twigs as they were feeding on the leaves of our peppercorn tree, Schinus molle.


If identifying moths can be difficult it was even more so for these caterpillars, however I think they are the larvae of the guava moth, Ophiusa disjungens, of NOCTIIDAE CALPINAE family. 
As the common name suggests they are regarded as a pest by guava growers and their range is through many of the countries of SE Asia as well as Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW in Australia.

2 comments:

  1. Amazing camouflage!! Yes I find caterpillar id hard too!

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  2. I would not have seen it if it wasn't feeding as it did look a little unnatural. The other one was along the branch and would not have been noticed.
    The id is made even more difficult as there are such variations between the instars.

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