Flagship project

Mallee Looper caterpillar

Unravelling an outbreak across thousands of hectares of Mallee woodland.

Mallee Looper caterpillar (Arhodia sp.)

The project

A native caterpillar out of balance

The Mallee Looper (Arhodia sp.) is a native caterpillar eating its way through thousands of hectares of Mallee eucalypts across Victoria and South Australia. Moths emerge in spring and tiny caterpillars hatch from eggs laid high in tree canopies. The caterpillars balloon away on silken threads, then spend weeks stripping leaves from Mallee eucalypts.

In some areas, several years of repeated defoliation have badly affected the health of the Mallee woodlands. We’re working with Wildlife Unlimited to understand what’s driving outbreaks and how they can be monitored and managed.

Spotted a Mallee Looper? Your observation could help. Join our iNaturalist project and contribute to the monitoring effort.

Research updates

Mallee Looper

20 May 2026

Mallee Looper research overview

20 May 2026

The Mallee Looper is a native caterpillar that is eating its way through thousands of hectares of Mallee Woodlands in Victoria and South Australia. Here’s a summary of the 2025/26 research outcomes.

Factsheets and ways to help

Mallee Looper outbreakFactsheet: what’s happening and where.View factsheet → Mallee Looper life stagesFactsheet: from egg to moth.View factsheet → Identifying the mothFactsheet: how to recognise a Mallee Looper moth.View factsheet → What you can doHelp with monitoring, host a moth trap, or watch for caterpillars.Read more → DIY moth trappingBuild your own no-kill moth trap.Read more → Report a sightingAdd your observations to our iNaturalist project.Open iNaturalist →

Supported by

Our funders and partners

This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the Victorian Government and the Natural Resources Conservation Trust.