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URTICATING ANTHELID FACTS |
Identification
The adult Urticating Anthelid moth is varies in colour from grey brown to orange brown. It has pattern of wavy lines parallel to the outer edge of the forewings and hindwings. There are two small black-bordered white spots on each forewing. The male moth has more feathery antennae than the female. The caterpillar is brown and hairy with sharp, brittle hairs that can penetrate skin and break off and can cause skin rash (urticaria). The cocoon is brown and can also cause skin irritation as some of the caterpillar hairs can project through the cocoon surface.
Size
wingspan: males about 7cm, females about 10cm. Caterpillar length: males to 5cm, females to 8cm
Food
the caterpillar feeds mainly on species of Acacia including the Cootamundra Wattle ( Acacia baileyana ), and Silver Wattle ( Acacia dealbata )
Range
found in eastern Australia including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Lepidoptera | | Family: | Anthelidae | | Genus: | Anthela | | Species: | nicothoe | | Common Name: | Urticating Anthelid |
Relatives in same Genus
no common name (A. ferruginosa)
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