Euproctis lutea

Euproctis lutea, the fresh-water mangrove itchy caterpillar,[1] is a species of moth of the family Erebidae. It is found in northern Australia (the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales) and New Guinea.

Euproctis lutea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Euproctis
Species:
E. lutea
Binomial name
Euproctis lutea
(Fabricius, 1775)
Synonyms
  • Bombyx lutea Fabricius, 1775
  • Artaxa chrysophila Walker, 1865
  • Porthesia iobrota Meyrick, 1891

The wingspan of the adult moth is about 30 mm. The forewings are yellow with two faint zigzag lines, while the hindwings are plain yellow.[2]

The larvae feed on Lycopersicum esculentum, Begonia species, Myosotis arvensis, Rosa odorata, Barringtonia acutangula and Planchonia careya. They are black and hairy, with a wide white line running along the length of the abdomen, and a wide white spot on the thorax. Full-grown larvae reach a length of about 15 mm, and their hairs can lead to intense itching after contact with human skin. Pupation takes place in a sparse cocoon in a sheltered location away from the food plant.

The moth was first described in European scientific literature by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.[3]

References
  1. "Stinging and Itchy Caterpillars in the Top End of the Northern Territory". (February 2010). Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  2. Herbison-Evans, Don & Crossley, Stella (31 October 2018). "Euproctis lutea (Fabricius, 1775)". Australian Caterpillars and their Butterflies and Moths. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  3. "Species Euproctis lutea (Fabricius, 1775)". Australian Faunal Directory. Archived 5 April 2011.


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