Ochrogaster lunifer (Bag-shelter Moth)

Ochrogaster lunifer (Bag-shelter Moth)Adult Bag-shelter Moth Processionary Caterpillars

The species Ochrogaster lunifer are a well known insect in Australia, found across coastal and inland regions.

Whilst the adult moths may not be as familiar a sight as the caterpillars, they are a striking looking moth. They are variable inn markings, often with white streaks and wing colours from a cream to light-brown to a dark brown form (the sheer variation most likely indicate more then one species).

The iconic image of Ochrogaster lunifer is seeing a line of caterpillars making their way across the landscape, following each other from head to toe, a well known sight to behold. Indeed, these “Processionary Caterpillars”, as they are commonly called, are also known as Itchy Grubs or “fluffy ball of pain”.

They are a social creature, that nest together in a silken woven bag (often in the branches of trees). These fascinating creatures feed on the leaves of the tree where their cocoon nest is and once they strip the tree of leaves, will leave the tree in search of more food. This is when they make the familiar sight of caterpillars following each other in a single line, as they weave their way across the ground looking for another suitable shrub or tree.

The caterpillars are able to keep in touch with each other by following the hairs on the rear end of the caterpillar in front, and leaving a silken trail in their wake.

When touched, these hairs usually can cause severe skin rash in people, hence their other common name of “Itchy Grub”. Local aboriginal people have been known to use the silk cocoon bag in traditional medicine.

The caterpillars are usually orange, dark brown, and with numerous long white hairs, whilst the adult moth are extremely variable in wing markings and colour, ranging from brown to white.

Once the line of processionary caterpillars find a suitable plant, they will make their way up the shrub/tree, where they will form a cocoon nest.

More information can be found:

• Processionary Caterpillar — Fauna > Insects > Moths
• Bag-shelter Moth & Processionary Caterpillar — Alice Springs Fauna
• Processionary Caterpillar — Alice Springs Desert Park
• Processionary Caterpillar — Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

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• Scientific classification
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Subphylum: Hexapoda
• Class: Insecta
• Subclass: Pterygota
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Superfamily: Noctuoidea
• Family: Notodontidae
• Subfamily: Thaumetopoeinae
• Genus: Ochrogaster
• Species: Ochrogaster lunifer

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Ochrogaster lunifer (Bag-shelter Moth)Adult Bag-shelter Moth Processionary Caterpillars

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