#eucyclodes

[herpsandbirds]

Orange-banded Green Geometer Moth (Eucyclodes gavissima), family Geometridae, Pulau Ketam, Malaysia

Photograph by Valentin Golubkov

[rattyexplores]

Side view. You can kind of see the shape of the caterpillar here.

✥ - Kuranda, 06/02/21

[rattyexplores]

Another encounter with the Lichen-Mimicking Eucyclodes caterpillar.

06/02/21 - Kuranda

[rattyexplores]

Lepidoptera Study - 19/01/21 - “Spiked inchworms”

Eucyclodes is a genus of Spiked inchworms I’m most familiar with, however, I still don’t have much information. And a lot of the larval stages of this genus have yet to be found. 

Some examples of Eucyclodes caterpillars include: Eucyclodes metaspila “Gumtree bizarre looper”, Eucyclodes pieroides “Wattle bizarre looper”, and Eucyclodes insperata “Lacy Emerald”.

There are also some unknown species I’ve come across that have the same spiked body shape, like the Lichen-mimicking Caterpillar.

Although I am uncertain, it appears that having spikes protruding from the side of the upper back is a big trait of the genus.

However his trait also exists outside of Eucyclodes, This Cymatoplex caterpillar is also spiked in a similar way, though the early instar is more-so bumped. Eucyclodes maintain the back spikes throughout their larval stage, from what I’ve seen.

Specimens found QLD, Australia.

[rattyexplores]

Examples of colour variants in the Lichen-mimicking eucyclodes caterpillar species.

As I said in the index entry, it seems like these caterpillars will use whatever lichen is available to them. Maybe there’s yellow and orange ones too?

Originally found 15/09/20 07/01/21

[rattyexplores]

Eucyclodes pieroides! A caterpillar with back thorns to help with camouflage.

Eucyclodes doesn't have much information online, but from my knowledge, these caterpillars all seem to have horns on their backs of some kind.

[drhoz]

#1399 - Ecyclodes sp. - Bizarre Looper

Previously Anisozyga, Thalassodes, and Comibaena.  Probably E. pieroides, the aforementioned Wattle Bizarre, since Laurie Dryburgh‎ found this one near Brisbane.  This particular individual in on his or her back, head and prolegs on the left, and is doing a nice job of pretending to be plant debris. 

[drhoz]

#1398 - Eucyclodes pieroides - Wattle Bizarre

AKA Anisozyga pieroides, and Comibaena pieroides. Found by Phil Mcintyre, a few hundred kilometers north of Brisbane.

This one is a female, since the males look completely different, and in fact would be hard to distinguish from many similar Emerald Loopers

The caterpillars, found on wattles, eucalypts, Syzygium and other native plants, and Avocado, roses, and a wide variety of introduced ones as well, start off by gluing small bits of debris to their backs for camouflage. After later molts they develop flanges down each side of their midline, and no longer need added disguise. 

Found in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. Similar species are found in the southern states.