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Australian Wildlife

  Heliotrope Moth (Utetheisa pulchelloides)





Heliotrope Moth | Utetheisa pulchelloides photo
This moth was active during the day. It could be a Heliotrope Moth (U. pulchelloides) or a Salt and Pepper Moth (U. lotrix) - it is impossible to tell from these photos.

Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.







HELIOTROPE MOTH FACTS

Identification
The Heliotrope Moth is brightly coloured have white wings with red, brown and black spots and markings. It is active by day fluttering low over the ground like a small butterfly. The caterpillars are black with orange spots and broken cream lines along the body. Larvae contain poisonous alkaloids that deter predators from eating them

Other Names
Salt and Pepper Moth

Size
25mm

Food
They feed on plants from Boraginaceae family including Octopus Bush ( Argusia argentea ), Salvation Jane ( Echium plantagineum ), Heliotrope ( Heliotropium arborescens ).

Breeding
The eggs are pale green and laid in a row on a leaf tip



Classification
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Arctiidae
Genus:Utetheisa
Species:pulchelloides
Common Name:Heliotrope Moth

Relatives in same Genus
  Salt and Pepper Moth (U. lotrix)