Agarista agricola (Donovan, 1805)
(one synonym : Agarista picta)
Joseph's Coat Moth
AGARISTINAE ,  NOCTUIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 4 December 2005)

Agarista agricola
(Photo: courtesy of David Johnston)

The Caterpillars of this species have alternate black and white bands, with orange bands on the mesothorax and on the last abdominal segment. They have sparse black hairs with white club tips, and their head and feet are also orange.

Agarista agricola
(Photo: courtesy of Ros Runciman of Yeranda at Barrington Tops)

They feed on various vines from the VITACEAE family:

  • Australian Native Grape ( Cissus opaca ),
  • Slender Grape ( Cayratia clematidea ), as well as
  • Cultivated Grape ( Vitis vinifera ).

    Agarista agricola
    common natural posture, with head downward.
    (Photo: courtesy of Carol Gainsford, Brisbane)

    The adult moths are black with red, white and yellow patches.

    Agarista agricola
    Female: wingspan 7 cms.

    Agarista agricola
    Male: wingspan 5 cms.
    (Specimens: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The females are larger and have a large white area at the base of the costa.

    Agarista agricola
    Underside
    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The species is found over the whole of the north-east quarter of Australia.

    Agarista agricola
    Yemen 1980

    Further reading :

    David Carter,
    Butterflies and Moths, Collins Eyewitness Handbooks, Sydney 1992, p. 266.

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 464.

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