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Emperor gum moth (Opodiphthera eucalypti) part one
The emperor gum moth, Opodiphthera eucalypti, is a species of moth native to Australia, and can be easily found in all the states except for Tasmania. They are also found as an introduced species in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. This species was formerly placed in the genus Antheraea.
facts The Emperor Gum Moth emerges from there cacoon annually and are a spectacular site to see in Australia and are actually a tourist site. The Emperor Gum Moth can spend up to 10 years in its cocoon just to live for 2 weeks. This insect was the first used in the successful development of continuous insect cell cultures. Dr. Thomas D. C. Grace, a researcher with CSIRO, developed four cell lines from the ovaries of this insect and reported on them in the journal Nature in 1962. This was a significant breakthrough since efforts to grow insect cells in culture had been attempted for decades previously.
feeding habits Unlike all moths the Emperor Gum Moth eats very rarely sometimes never, But when they do eat it is at night. The Emperor Gum moth feeds on the Eucalyptus wich its long tounge or proboscis. When the Emperor gum moth emerges from its cocoons it does not eat but usually relies on the energy that they saved up during there cocoon stage.
10 year cocoon
body simmetry a fluid to soften the tough cocoon and then cuts a hole using sharp hooks on the base of each forewing. The emperor gum moth is a very large moth, having a wingspan of 120 to 150 mm. Females are generally smaller than males. The furless wings and body are multi-colored, but are in overall tones of pale reddish/brown. The wings are decorated with four prominent ‘eyes’ and various other markings in a symmetrical formation. The antennae of the males are feathery, while the females' are thinner and with fewer hairs.
response The Emperor Gum moth uses camouflage to hide among variouse plants such as Eucaliptus, dead trees, and even roof tiles. This Insect uses its camouflage to hide from the very few predators that it has but if discovered it makes great use of its large wings and flies away. Its predators are mice other male moths(rarely), and the Lace Monitor or Goanna, Varanus varius.
life cycle When the caterpillars hatch they are black with short hairs on top of little nodes on their bodies called tubercles. The hairs are not poisonous and will not sting. As the caterpillars mature they change color each time they shed their skin (which totals to five stages in the caterpillar's appearance). The fully grown caterpillars are usually found on the highest branches of the host tree where the leaves are the youngest and easiest to digest. By the final stage before pupation the caterpillars have developed striking coloration, having a yellow/cream stripe down their bright green/blue body and nodes of red and blue. Despite this they are still surprisingly hard to spot. The caterpillar stage in the emperor gum moth's life cycle can last for many weeks, depending on the temperature and weather conditions.
