Palm Anthelid Moth - Anthela sp.
Family Anthelidae
This page contains information about Palm Anthelid Moths that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Caterpillar 50mm
- We found the hairy caterpillar on the palm tree in our front yard in late summer. We kept it in a bottle with some palm leaf. After a few days, it turned into a silk cocoon. The cocoon was dark brown in colour, formed on the bottom of the bottle covered by the palm leaf.
- We handle the caterpillar very carefully for we know that its dense hair will cause severe urticaria if contacted.
- Moth wingspan 70mm
About four weeks later, we saw a light brown moth came out. It flied away after we took some photos. We sometimes see this Anthelid Moth coming to our windows at night.
To raise caterpillars is fun, especially if we find an unknown caterpillar. It is easily too. We have raised some caterpillars such as the Wanderer, the Crow , the Orchard Butterflies and the Brown Tussock moths. You may like to raise one too. Try it yourself next time when you find a caterpillar. Email me if you successfully raise one or if you find any problem.
