The Amazing Helena Gum Moth

Well I reckon they are amazing anyway :-) The Helena Gum Moth (Opodiphthera helena) is the largest moth in my area. They have a wing span of from 130mm to 170mm and they belong to the Saturniidae family. Often, when I find them, they are flapping about on the ground. It's seems that when they land on the ground they have trouble getting enough lift to take off again. When they do get going they usually crash land just a couple of metres away. They will happily climb up onto your hand. They will then slowly open and close ther wings a few times revealing their eye spots to warn me how scary they think they are. Then they will relax and settle. I will then place them as high as I can on a tree and they are gone by morning.

Here is a Helene Gum Moth on Eucalyptus leaf

Saturniidae Opodiphthera helena BY MV n1 20061030

... and some on my daughters hand. There are plenty to go around

Saturniidae Opodiphthera helena BY MV 20081026

Cute wee fellow isn't he

Saturniidae Opodiphthera helena BY MV n3 20061030

Here's a female

Saturniidae Opodiphthera helena BY MV n2 20061030

...and no, these are not baked beans. These are the eggs of Opodiphthera helena.

Saturniidae Opodiphthera helena Eggs 20081020

Well I hope you enjoyed this post. If you did, please consider upvoting, commenting , following or resteeming as I need all the help I can get. Thank you! Alan

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