Gum emperor larva
Photo from Robyne Kippen
Opodiphthera eucalypti (Scott)
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Saturniidae
Size range
- A large caterpillar, 90–100 mm long
Distribution
- Australian
- In New Zealand, North Island, Nelson and Christchurch. Maybe also Dunedin.
Life History
- Caterpillar host plants are eucalyptus, pepper trees, silver birch, apricot, grape vines
- Damage can be extensive if there are large numbers of caterpillars
- For the adult to emerge from the hard, nut–like cocoon, it must rasp through the tough exterior. The sound of this process has been likened to a rat gnawing
