#eucyclodes

Eucyclodes gavissima, family Geometridae, Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia, Borneo

Another encounter with the Lichen-Mimicking Eucyclodes caterpillar.

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. 

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

Lepidoptera study - 07/01/21 - Undetermined Lichen-mimicking eucyclodes caterpillar

This caterpillar is some-what famous, presumably after a Daily Mail article was written about it (Here’s the image, to avoid ad blocker trouble). Though the specimen in the article is green, and more fern-like, I believe this is the same species as the one in the images above.

I have seen the green versions of this caterpillar before, on the same stump. It’s possible the caterpillar uses whatever crusty lichen it finds to cover itself with. The caterpillar is usually fern-like in shape, being wider around the middle. It’s also perfectly still and quiet, barely moving, or responding to being touched. When the caterpillar does start moving, it, like inchworms, starts to wiggle around as it loops (presumably to mimic lichen blowing around in the wind).

The closest species I can find, is Enispa prolectus. However this species doesn’t appear to be a eucyclodes caterpillar... So I’m quite stumped.

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

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.

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.