Witchetty Grub Moth (species: Endoxyla leucomochla) in Uluru (Gaia Guide)
Uluru > Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Lepidoptera > Cossidae > Endoxyla > Endoxyla leucomochla (gallery)
Endoxyla leucomochla
Witchetty Grub Moth


©Geoffrey: Witchetty Grub (Endoxyla leucomochla) found eating its way through the middle of a root in the host Witchetty Bush.

©Mdekool: Witchetty Grub Moth (Endoxyla leucomochla)

©Nathan Johnson: Witchetty Grub (Endoxyla leucomochla)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Order Lepidoptera
Family Cossidae
Genus Endoxyla
Species Endoxyla leucomochla

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Distinguishing features

As lavae they are a fat white grub hidden inside tree roots. In the root, they look just like a pack of wrinkly lifesavers, which, in a way, they are.

The moth is largewith a fine mottled grey pattern and rusty red base on its wings. (Wikipedia)

Size

  • Up to 10 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to grubs

Wingspan

  • Up to 16 cm

Synonyms

Interesting facts

  • The bodies of the grubs are edible raw or cooked briefly in a fire.

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Behaviour

As lavae, they eat live in the roots of the Witchetty Bush and the Small Cooba (Acacia ligulata). They live in underground tunnels, formed within the roots, where they feed on the sap from the roots that contain them. (Wikipedia)

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