BIZARRE LOOPER MOTHS

Bizarre looper moths belong to the Order Lepidoptera and Family Geometridae and are found in the northern half of Australia.  They have a wingspan of 25-30mm (up to 1.6 ins). 

Anisozyga pieroides is found in the northern half of Australia.  They have a wingspan of 25-30mm (up to 1.6 ins).  They are active at night and are not very strong fliers.  Males and female are very different: Males are green with a white pattern:

Females are translucent green with brown borders:

Eggs are nearly always of the flat type, although some may be upright and will be laid singly, in pairs or in groups. The bizarre looper moth gets its name from the strange appearance of the caterpillars.  These caterpillars are usually hairless with a slender body.  They are well camouflaged being either green or brown in colour. The mature caterpillars are brown with a flange sticking out of the side of each segment.  Young caterpillars have no flange but stick debris on their backs.

The caterpillars feed on avocado, acacia, roses and macadamia nuts and are active during the day.

Anisozyga metaspila is found in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.  Once again the male and female moths differ in this species.  The male is green with narrow brown borders and pale brown veins in the wings.  Unfortunately I could not find a photo of a female of this species or even a description of her  This is the male moth.

The caterpillars are reddish brown, have flanges along each side of their bodies, and a spike on their tails.  They grow to about 2.5cms (1 inch) and move in a looper fashion.  They only have legs at the front and rear of their bodies. 

I believe there are looper moths in other parts of the world but I have concentrated on those said to be found in Australia.  There are also different varieties but I thought these two were quite beautiful and their caterpillars rather unusual.