The Grapevine Moth, Phalaenoides glycinae, is found in eastern half of Australia, including New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. It is classified in the Lepidoptera Order, which includes all Butterflies and Moths, in the Family Noctuidae. A family characteristic is that htey have ears at the back of the thorax. Most of the species migrate.

The Grapevine Moth can be an agricultural pest on cultivated grape vine plants, attacking the leaves and developing fruit. At Manna Park it also feeds on Guinea Flowers ( Hibbertia species).

The female moth lays pale cream translucent eggs singly on the undersides of leaves. The eggs are round and ribbed, and about 0.3mm in diameter. Eggs hatch after about 5 days. The mature caterpillars leave the food plant to pupate in the soil or in cracks or crevices in fence posts and vine stems.

The example shown here was seen in the clearing near the Cottage at Manna Park, 2nd December 2009.

Click on either picture to download a high resolution image (T.Hastings).