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GRAPEVINE MOTH FACTS |
Identification
The adult Grapevine Moth is black with bold white markings on the forewings, and a white outer margin on the hindwings. The abdomen is black above with orange stripes below. There are red tufts of hair at the tip of the abdomen, and around the base of the legs.
The caterpillar is black with bold pattern of pale yellow across and along the body in a checkered pattern. There are long white hairs scattered over the body. The head is light brown, and there is a bright red band near the rear end.
Other Names
Vine Moth
Size
wingspan 40mm to 50mm
Food
The Grapevine Moth is an agricultural pest on cultivated grape vine plants, attacking the leaves and developing fruit. It also feeds on number of other species including Guinea Flower ( Hibbertia obtusifoli), Fuchsias, ( Fuchsia species), Evening Primroses ( Oenothera species).
Breeding
The female moth lays pale cream translucent eggs singly on the undersides of leaves. The eggs are round and ribbed, and about 0.3mm in diameter. Eggs hatch after about 5 days. The mature caterpillars leave the food plant to pupate in the soil or in cracks or crevices in fence posts and vine stems.
Range
The Grapevine Moth is found in eastern half of Australia, including New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Lepidoptera | | Family: | Noctuidae | | Genus: | Phalaenoides | | Species: | glycinae | | Common Name: | Grapevine Moth |
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