#stericta

30/09/23 Photos 1-4 - Caterpillar constructs

An interesting kind of caterpillar can be found in the rainforests of the Wet Tropics (and elsewhere of course).

The caterpillars typically expected to build portable cases are those within the Tineoidea superfamily, although this behavior is indeed not limited to "bagworms".

These caterpillars, which remained hidden in their strange shoelace shelters, are within the Stericta genus (Pyralidae). Though I was unable to photograph the caterpillars themselves, others on iNaturalist have managed to do so.

(here)

The caterpillars I came across were feeding in a small group on a young tree. Unfortunately, the plant species remains unidentified, though I hope the caterpillar infestation does not hold it back too much.

Stericta spotted before (past posts lack alt text): (link) (link)

30/09/23 - Stericta sp.

The second and most recent sighting of Stericta orchidivora. Found on the same trail.

Stericta orchidivora

The first sighting of Stericta orchidivora, spotted in Cairns. When I first came across this structure, I recognized it as a cocoon, but originally thought it was in the Tineoidea superfamily. Turns out it’s actually a Pyralid snout moth!

Always question your preconceptions.

Stericta orchidivora

After Whanganui we had to hurry down to Paraparaumu for the next night, but that didn't stop us doing a rapid U-turn when we spotted a barn-sized secondhand bookstore on the highway at Sanson. Book Barns like the Ministry of Books are one reason we came back with twice the luggage and three times the weight we left Perth with.

Anyway - the name means "scraps from an earth oven", after an 1819–1820 expedition by Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Toa iwi, who were unimpressed by the lack of useful resources.

But the alpaca farm we stayed at had some interesting insects that evening, and we watched some episodes of Monkey! so I had no complaints.

A few species I've covered before.

I thought IDing this tiny jet-black moth was going to be difficult, then stumbled across an ID anyway. Stericta carbonalis, a Pyralid.