Gum Moth Mystery – one minute bugs

Subtitle: Have you seen an Emperor gum moth lately?

Gum moths (Emperor gum moth and Helen gum moth) are large, iconic Australian insects. Anecdotal evidence suggests that gum moths are in decline in parts of their natural range. Are they in decline and what might be causing it?.

This video explores some of the theories that might explain the mystery. The video also describes the Emperor gum moth (Opodiphthera eucalypti) and the Helena gum moth (Opodiphthera helena), their life cycle and their distribution.

Have you seen gum moths or their caterpillars lately in your area? When was the last time you saw one? I look forward to your comments.

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6 Replies to “Gum Moth Mystery”

As kids, we would collect Emperor Gum caterpillars, and put them in acetate-topped shirt boxes, with some gum leaves and a small source of water. After what seemed an eternity, but in reality was probably only a week or so, the caterpillars used to spin a cocoon. We waited patiently for the moth to emerge, and raced home from school each night, in excited anticipation, to check on the progress. After a patient wait, we were most often rewarded by the emergence of a beautiful, large moth, which we released into the wild, for the cycle to begin again.
But that was about 60 years ago, and sadly, I can’t remember the last time I saw an Emperor Gum caterpillar.

Denis Crawford on March 5, 2023 at 9:59 pm said:

Thanks for the memories Meron.

Since mid January the have been 2-4 of the moths you are noting. Not sure which one.
They sit vert still on wood whether that is the brown sundeck or bark on the ground or flying around our garden which we are in the process of converting largely towards being predominantly S.E. Vic natives again planting another 40 trees and shrubs this autumn.
Notting Hill, Victoria

Good to know I can ‘talk’ to you.
Since mid January 2023 there have been 2-4 of the moths on any one day you are noting. Not sure which one of the two.
They sit vert still on wood whether that is the brown sundeck or bark on the ground or flying around our garden which we are in the process of converting largely towards being predominantly S.E. Vic natives again planting another 40 trees and shrubs this autumn.
Notting Hill, Victoria