Plectophila thrasycosma (Meyrick, 1915)
 (previously known as Xylorycta thrasycosma)
XYLORYCTIDAE,   GELECHIOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Plectophila thrasycosma
(Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

This Caterpillar lives in a twisted silk case covered in frass. The caterpillar has been found feeding on two species of Ironbark ( MYRTACEAE), namely

  • Narrow-leaf Ironbark ( Eucalyptus crebra ), and
  • Grey Ironbark ( Eucalyptus drepanophylla ).

    Plectophila thrasycosma
    (Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

    The adult moths of this species have brown forewings each with white patches. The hindwings are pale brown with recurved margins. The wingspan is about 2 cms.

    Plectophila thrasycosma
    underside
    (Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

    The species has been found in :

  • Western Australia,
  • Queensland, and
  • New South Wales.

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia,
    Melbourne University Press, 1990, pl. 5.9, p. 228.

    Ian McMillan,
    Plectophila thrasycosma, Xyloryctine Moths of Australia,
    Blog, Monday, July 5, 2010.

    previous
    back
    caterpillar
    Australian
    Australian Butterflies
    butterflies
    Australian
    home
    Lepidoptera
    Australian
    Australian Moths
    moths
    next
    next
    caterpillar

    (written 6 October 2012, updated 2 August 2013, 10 September 2020)