Magpie Moth

Description:

The Magpie Moth has dark wings with a broad band of large white spots across the fore wings, and large white spots on the rear wings. The abdomen is bright orange yellow and black bands, giving the family common name of Tiger Moth, and they are the classic Tiger Moth warning colours. Male and female look similar apart from different shaped antennae. Body length is about 2.5 cms and a wingspan of about 4 cms. The caterpillars of this species are hairy with orange bands. They feed on a garden weed called Thickhead (Cassocephalum crepidiodes). Common in the Brisbane area.

Habitat:

Spotted on a shrub along a drier and sunnier section of the Gold Creek walking trail, at Gold Creek Reservoir. Native bushland vegetation.