Ochrogaster lunifer

1 Bag-shelter moth at Undefined Area

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Ochrogaster lunifer 7 Aug 2020 Alburyconservationcompany
Ochrogaster lunifer 6 Aug 2020 karenretra
Unverified 6 Aug 2020 JillC

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User's notes

Don’t know what this is. A nest for spiders? Had fallen from a tree at Charles Sturt University. Thurgoona. Very clever use of leaves and twigs in its construction.

7 comments

   6 Aug 2020
Very interesting, I have no idea what it is - I hope someone can help! What's the size?
JillC wrote:
   6 Aug 2020
About 25cm long. It had fallen to the ground, so I Placed it on a small branch. Quite heavy. Hubble reckons it is a bird nest.
   6 Aug 2020
Ok - hopefully a moderator specialising in birds will help out shortly.
karenretra wrote:
   6 Aug 2020
It's a nest (or former nest) of processionary caterpillars. They are very hairy and can cause discomfort, so be careful handling even the abandoned 'bag'. Sometimes also known as 'itchy grubs'.
Google will give more info, but to kick off, here's an article discussing their lifecycle: https://austplants.com.au/Processional-Caterpillars-(Ochrogaster-lunifer)
   7 Aug 2020
Fantastic Karen!
JillC wrote:
   7 Aug 2020
Thank you so much. Have seen several of these over the years and never knew how to identify it. Good on Albury Wodonga Nature Map! And Karen. I’m hooked.
   7 Aug 2020
If you want to see what the moth looks like that lays the eggs that grow into the caterpillar that makes this shelter post the following link in the address box above wodonga.naturemapr.org/Community/Species/Sightings/45158

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Sighting information

  • At least 1 Abundance
  • 6 Aug 2020 08:08 AM Recorded on
  • JillC Recorded by

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