Whitsunday Catchment Landcare members have been seeing the larva and adults of the Fruit Piercing Moth of late. This is a large moth with a wingspan of 85cm. A stout dull greenish moth when in camouflage repose, but when alarmed can display its orange and black hindwings, presumably mimicking the face of a more sinister creature. It is an inhabitant of wet forests, citrus plantations and gardens and uses its toothed proboscis to pierce and suck juice from fruit.
The larva is also strikingly marked with prominent eyespots on the side and rests its up to 80mm of body in a raised loop. The larva feeds on the heart shaped leaves of Snake Vine (Stephania japaonica) which is commonly present in Beach Scrubs, Rainforests and also Open Forests.
Ref: Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland – Queensland Museum
