A taste for Castor Oil

Found another moth on the verandah this morning and it didn't take long to identify it as the Castor Oil Looper Achaea janata, 

I had to disturb it to see if I could see the rear wings for any markings and there was just enough showing to confirm the ID.

The common name results from the caterpillars favourite food, the Castor Oil Plant although there are many more food plants that they have been found on.

When castor oil was in demand the caterpillars caused substantial damage in the plantations, however in Australia the castor oil plant is a recognised weed so the moth now maybe in favour 

They are widespread in Australia and also found in Indian and Pacific island countries as well as some SE Asian areas..