Gum leaf skeletoniser
Uraba lugens Walker
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nolidae
Size range
- Medium sized caterpillar. Moth, wingspan 50 mm.
Distribution
- Australian, first recorded in New Zealand in 1997
Life History
- Eggs laid in parallel lines on both surfaces of gum leaf.
- Caterpillars often have a distinctive ‘cap’ of discarded head capsules.
- Caterpillar hairs may cause irritation to human skin.
- Damage to leaves of Eucalyptus, by skeletonising and defoliation.