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HELENA GUM MOTH FACTS |
Identification
The Helena Gum Moth is an attractive large moth from eastern Australia with a wingspan of about 15 cm. The forewings are reddish brown with slightly darker eye spot in the centre. The hindwings have larger and bolder eye spot wing black circular margin. The body is reddish brown and "furry". The caterpillars are brownish initially, and go through a number of moults becoming green with pale stripe along the side when fully grown. The caterpillars grow to about 8 cm long.
Other Names
Helena Emperor Moth
Size
wingspan about 15 cm
Habitat
woodland, bushland with eucalypt trees
Food
caterpillars feed mainly on eucalypt leaves
Breeding
The caterpillars hatch from eggs which feed on eucalypt leaves. The caterpillars develop through several stages before they pupate into a hard brown oval cocoon that is made between leaves or on tree trunk.
Range
Opodiphthera helena is found in eastern New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, south west Western Australia.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Lepidoptera | | Family: | Saturniidae | | Genus: | Opodiphthera | | Species: | helena | | Common Name: | Helena Gum Moth |
Relatives in same Genus
Emperor Gum Moth (O. eucalypti)
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