General Description

Body and head white, thorax and head with black spots. Forewings white with red and black spots, hindwings white with black patches, particularly on the outer edge. Medium sized with wingspan of 30-35 mm.

Biology

This species appears to be highly mobile and can appear in great numbers in some places. The moth flies during the day and may be mistaken at a distances for a butterfly. In Victoria they being to appear in October and become most prevalent in April, probably indicating several generations as number build in good seasons. They are more common in some years than others. Larval foodplants include many local and introduced plants including Forget-me-not, Heliotrope and, importantly, the invasive Paterson's Curse. There are cloesly related species in many other countries.

Distribution

Throughout Australia.

Habitat

Most habitats.

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