About Elhamma australasiae (Walker, 1856)
Adults of Elhamma australasiae can be identified by a small, sharp tuft of hairlike (piliform) scales that protrudes horizontally from the base of the antennal scape, extending over the eye. Females have a forewing length of 18.9 to 38.8 mm, making them larger than males, which have a forewing length of 12.7 to 20.8 mm. Females also have longer, narrower forewings than males. Most of the adult moth's body is brown, but the hindwings and basal section of the abdomen are salmon pink. These colors fade very quickly after the moth dies. The forewings have scattered dark flecks, and males also have a silvery-white streak on their forewings. When a female lays eggs, the first eggs she lays are white. Eggs change color to brown, then black as they develop. Newly hatched larvae are buff, a light brownish yellow shade, with brown heads, and eventually become entirely dark brown as they grow. Pupae measure roughly 40 mm in length and 6 mm in diameter. They are pale brown, with darker chitinizations at their anterior end. Each pupal segment has two dorsal rows and one ventral row of tiny serrations. When the pupa is ready for the adult to emerge, the adult's colors can be seen through the pupal covering.
