823 



FAMILY HEPIALID^. 

 (Wood Borers.) 



These moths are noted for their size and beauty 

 The larva? are wood borers, and many of them are 

 3 inches or more in length and very thick. They 

 are cream-colour, due to their protected life in the 

 wood. (Plate 39, Fig. 1.) The eggs may be 

 deposited on the trunk, and the larvae feed at firsi 

 on the bark and then bore into the trunk. They 

 pupate in part of the passage formed from their 

 tunnelling. Often there is a web-like covering to 

 hide the entrance to the tunnel of the larva. These 

 grubs are said to be used by the blacks as bait 

 for fishing. 



One of the common wood-boring moths is 

 Zeuzera eucalypti. (Plate 39, Figs. 1, 2, and 3.) 

 This is a large, thick grey moth, with wings 

 marbled with black and brown. The scales are 

 rather sparse and easily rubbed off. The wings 

 droop close down the side of the body in repose. 

 The pupa is interesting, having on the abdomen 

 rows of tiny spines on each segment edge, and 

 these aid the pupa to push along in the tunnel to 

 get to the opening for the moth to escape. (Plate 

 39, Fig. 2a.) 



Another type is the Bent-wing Moth (Leto stay- 

 ceyi) — a handsome fawn, with brown and black 

 marbling; eye-spots are present on fore wings. 



