Lately I have regularly observed Painted Vine Moths, Agarista agricola one of the NOCTUIDAE family, but have not been able to get any photos as they haven't remained still enough to enable focusing. But today I found one caterpillar on a Slender Grape vine Cayratia clematideo a thin scrambling native that is growing amongst our banana plants.
It is one of the most dramatic patterned caterpillars and like many of the showy ones it says to predators "you can see me but you won't like the taste"
As I was taking photos one of the moths arrived and was busy marking out her territory around the vines and on the bananas, marking with a scent to discourage any others from depositing eggs.
The other name for this moth is Joseph's Coat Moth which as you can see from the photo is quite apt. It is a day flying moth and as well as the native vines that are the food source for the caterpillars they will also feed on the cultivated grape vines. Found it the Northern Territory, Queensland, NSW and Victoria as well as in Papua.
A very beautiful and colourful moth and caterpillar :)
ReplyDeleteI have tried for ages to get a photo of this moth, so very pleased to achieve both moth and caterpillar.
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