Calcarifera ordinata
Wattle Cup Caterpillar
©Steve Walsh: Calcarifera ordinata
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Limacodidae
Genus
Calcarifera
Species
Calcarifera ordinata
Distinguishing features
Moths are creamy brown with lines of dots on the forewings. The hind wings are pale brown.
The caterpillar is bright yellow with blue green and orange colours. There are a number of tubercles around its body. They have reduced legs and move using a slug-like movement of the underside of the body. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 3 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Moths
- Up to 2 cm (Length) - applies to Caterpillars
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Behaviour
The cocoon is formed on a leaf. It is spun out of silk in a small sphere, then covered in a liquid that sets like a tiny ball. (Wikipedia)
Diet
The larvae feed on the leaves of Acacia, Jacksonia scoparia, Phoenix canariensis, Leptosema aphyllum, Rosa odorata, Citrus sinensis and Atalaya hemiglauca.
Web resources
Danger
- significant discomfort - Touching the caterpillar can lead to a stinging sensation that is worse than a wasp sting. (Wikipedia)