Mnesampela privataCommon name: Autumn Gum Moth

Meaning of name: Unknown.

Distribution: This caterpillar has been reported from the southern parts of Australia.

Description: This caterpillar was approximately 3 centimetres long. It eats species of Eucalyptus.

The moth that this caterpillar turns into has a wing length (nose to wing tip) of approximately 2 centimetres.

Associations: Eucalyptus species.

Remarks: Caterpillars shelter in curled up dying leaves.

These caterpillars were photographed in July on Eucalyptus rudis.

References: Identification courtesy of Terry Houston, WA Museum.

Atlas of Living Australia https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:528ed023-e74a-4b91-82cb-170b3bef9a34#overview

http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/enno/privata.html

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