Ogmograptis scribula
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| Ogmograptis scribula | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Bucculatricidae |
| Genus: | Ogmograptis Meyrick, 1935 |
| Species: | O. scribula |
| Binomial name | |
| Ogmograptis scribula Meyrick, 1935 | |
Ogmograptis scribula (literally the writer of the Ogam script),[1] the scribbly gum moth, is a moth of the family Bucculatricidae. It is found in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland. It is responsible for producing 'scribbles' found of multiple species of Eucalypts, creating the pattern from which its name is derived.
The adult moth lays eggs on a depression in the bark of target eucalypt species in autumn/early winter. The larvae then burrow into the bark to the depth of the next years phellogen creating long arcs, which tighten to squiggles as they develop into larger instar stages. The second-last instar will backtrack along the original mine, doubling its width or creating a parallel track depending on species. The final instar, a caterpillar with legs, will then follow the path one last time, feeding on the nutritious scar tissue that they tree lays down in the previously damaged areas.[2]
The caterpillar then emerges and forms a cocoon at the base of the tree, and emerges as a moth ~1 month later.[2]
Distribution
The scribbly gum moth is found on the east coast of Australia, from Tasmania to Southern Queensland.[3]
