DISTRIBUTION:

With a wingspan of up to 10 cm, Opodiphthera loranthi is found in the northeast quarter of Australia. It is reported from northern Queensland to central New South Wales.

Opodiphthera loranthi male, NSW, Minnamurra Falls, 15. Jan. 1974, CSIRO

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in November and January.

Gregarious larvae feed on mistletoe.

Opodiphthera loranthi male, NSW, Dorrigo National Park, 17. Nov. 1970, CSIRO

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The females extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in the night-flying males.

Opodiphthera loranthi male, Queensland, Killarney, CSIRO

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae feed gregariously on mistletoe and fashion cocoons in a clump on the hostplant stem. Larval image courtesy of Australian Moth Caterpillars

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants listed in Stephen E. Stone's Foodplants of World Saturniidae. It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Eucalyptus..... Amyema Viscum

Eucalyptus Mistletoe Mistletoe

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