About Cosmodes elegans Donovan, 1805
Donovan originally described the species as: forewings are ferruginous, with three greenish spots edged with silver; the anterior spot is hooked, and hindwings are reddish. The caterpillars of this species reach a length of about 3 cm (1.2 in). They are bright green with dark spiracles on both sides. Adult moths are brown, with sinuous green markings on their forewings. Their hindwings are white, fading to light brown along the edges, and they have a hairy crest just behind their heads. The adult wingspan is about 4 cm (1.6 in). This moth, called the green blotched moth, has a distinctively shaped forewing paired with characteristic forewing patterns that make it unlikely to be confused with any other species. This species is native to Australia. During summer, it sometimes arrives in New Zealand as a migrant or vagrant, and may establish temporary colonies there. Adult moths live in forest clearings from January to May. Larvae build their cocoons among the foliage of their preferred food source in this habitat.
