Gumleaf Skeletoniser
Larvae, Orange Head
Ellura
Gumleaf Skeletoniser
Larvae, Different sizes
 
                      
Gumleaf Skeletoniser (Uraba lugens)Class: Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta)
Order: Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera)
Family: Tuft Moth (:Noctuoidea Nolidae)     iNaturalist Observation
Species: Gumleaf Skeletoniser (Uraba lugens)
This Photo:     Larvae, Black one with others

Thank you Rog Standen for confirming the id of this species for us

General Species Information:
Found on Ellura (in the Murray Mallee, SA), the Adelaide Hills and elsewhere
The main diagnostic features of the larvae are: Small (around 4mm), very hairy (long), 4 rows of yellow dots and they eat / live on the surfaces of gum leaves
Very variable skin colour; as can be seen. As well as orange or black heads.
The adults have a distinctive, mid-wing, horizontal line that separates them from any close relatives.
They are generally a dull (ie not shiny) looking grey moth, with males & females looking similar.
Males have bipectinate antennae, with females having filiform.
Note the various scale tufts on the female's wings. In fact much of the mid-wing line look raised. These are also present on the male, just weren't as visible in our photo's.

Copyright © 2016-2024 Brett & Marie Smith. All Rights Reserved. Photographed 23-Jul-2016
This species is an Australian Native Species, not listed in the SA Murray Mallee Survey of 2010.