Processionary Caterpillar

Moths | Processionary Caterpillar (Ochrogaster lunifer) ◦

The Processionary Caterpillar (Ochrogaster lunifer), also commonly known as the Itchy Grub, is particularly interesting to watch as they create a single line of caterpillar following each other.

Although they can be seen following each other along the ground in daylight, the caterpillars usually shelter communally in a bag nest made of silk, excrement, shed skins, and other debris at this time of day. In Central Australia, these bags of silk can often be seen high in the branches of the trees they feed on (usually acacia and Grevillea striata (beefwood tree). They can also be found nested at the base of shrubs and trees (which may indicate that there may be others species of these caterpillars, genus Ochrogaster).

Aboriginal Use
During hard times, and as a last resort, Aboriginal people have been known to use these caterpillars as a food source. Whilst they would singed most of the hairs off, traces may still remain, causing irritation of the mouth and throat. Definitely not a favoured food source.

Common name
Itchy Grub, Processionary Caterpillar, Bag Shelter Moth (which is the adult form of the caterpillar larva).

More information about the Itchy Grub can be found under our Alice Springs Desert Park Processionary Caterpillar and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Processionary Caterpillar.

Images © CK Leel

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• Scientific classification
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Notodontidae
• Subfamily: Thaumetopoeinae
• Genus: Ochrogaster
• Species: Ochrogaster lunifer

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InsectsBees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera (True Bugs) Mango Planthopper Moths Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Syrphidae Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub