Gum Snout Moth

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Gum Snout Moth

Gum Snout Moth

Entometa fervens

This moth usually rests on the ground amongst dry fallen leaves during the day, then moves up to feed on green leaves during the night. The caterpillar feeds on Eucalypt species. By day, the caterpillar camouflages by flattening itself against the stem of its food plant, with the hairs along its sides disguising its legs. It pupates in a white papery cocoon between two leaves on the food plant.
 

Details Description
Type
Invertebrate
Group
Insect - Moth
Identifying Characteristics

Body stout and hairy. Wingspan up to 8 cm in females and 5 cm in males. Forewings pale brown with a brown dot pattern and hindwings pale orange. Large caterpillar up to 7 cm, with soft downy hairs. Body texture and colour varies between individuals from smooth to rough, and brown to mottled with cream and grey. The caterpillar has a prominent projection on the back near the rear end and a pair of fleshy filaments behind the head.
Distinctive Markings

A dark patch under the hindwing,
Diet

Herbivore. Eats eucalypt leaves.
Habitat

Lives in eucalypt forests and woodlands.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Taxonomy
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Lasiocampinae
Genus
Entometa
Species
fervens
Gum Snout Moth
Found in eastern Australia, including throughout Victoria.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.