Some species have adults that can make a loud hissing noise when disturbed. Females attract males using pheromones (chemical substances). The adult moth lives for several weeks and in that time must feed regularly, mate and lay eggs for the next generation. The pupal stage lasts from around 1 to 25 weeks. Some larvae move further into the soil and pupate in an earthern chamber below the soil surface. When larvae are ready to pupate, they move down into the leaf litter where they make a rough open cocoon or cell on the soil surface. The early instar (larval stage between two moults) larvae are also found on the under surface of leaves while the older larvae camouflage themselves on stems. The female will lay up to 100 or more eggs in a season. Life history cycleĮggs are laid singly on the underside of leaves of the larval food plant. The grey-brown larvae are very large, with a wrinkled texture. It is found in the bushland regions and outskirts of metropolitan Sydney. The Banksia Hawk Moth ( Coquesa triangularis) is the largest Australian hawk moth and is found in eastern coastal areas, from Victoria northwards. These moths are found from northern Australia to coastal New South Wales. The forewing has two dark brown strips outlined on the lower surface by a silvery band and separated by a pale brown strip. The adult moth is a dull brown colour with two silvery bands down the abdomen. The larvae pupate in a loosely woven cocoon, which they construct within leaf litter. Mature larvae can reach a length of 7 cm. The caterpillars are black with yellow spots and strips, and have a thin spine at the end of the abdomen that has a white tip. It is most frequently found on Balsams, Impatiens balsamina, I. The caterpillar of the Impatiens Hawk Moth, Theretra oldenlandiae, is a common visitor to suburban Sydney gardens. These moths are found throughout northern and eastern Australia.
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