Lewin’s Bag Shelter Moth
Common NameLewin’s Bag Shelter Moth
Scientific NameOchrogaster lewinii
FamilyNotodontidae
SubfamilyThaumetopoeinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsbrown, tan
HabitatEucalypt forests and woodlands
Geographic RangeEastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia)
Host PlantsEucalyptus, Angophora, Lophostemon
Flight PeriodJanuary to April (late summer to autumn in Australia)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are gregarious, forming conspicuous silken 'bag shelters' on host trees, where they live communally. They possess urticating hairs that can cause skin irritation.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive communal silken bags in eucalypt trees and the hairy, light brown adult moths with faint wavy lines on their forewings.
Description
A medium-sized, robust moth with a very hairy, light brown body and wings. The forewings feature faint, wavy darker brown transverse lines.
