This page is about the emu bush grub found in Alice Springs.
Above: Emu Bush caterpillar - photo by Mike Gillam
ARRERNTE NAME: Tyape Utnerrengatye.
ENGLISH NAME: Emu Bush Grub
SCIENTIFIC NAME (Emu Bush): Eremophila Longifolia.
DESCRIPTION: The Emu Bush grub has a tail spine. It is daubed with vivid red and yellow ochre forming broken brush strokes on the back. It has a single row of red spots on the sides.
FOOD PLANT/HOST PLANT: The uncommon Emu Bush grub lives only on the Weeping Emu bush.
TRADITIONAL USES: The Emu Bush grub is found on the Weeping Emu bush. The traditional people touch the bush and they will all fall on the ground and then they cook them. They put the Emu Bush grub on the ground and squeeze the guts out of a little hole, then they cook them in hot soil. They get them out and leave them in the sun for two or three days, or longer, to dry. Then the Arrernte will share them around and eat them.
LIFE CYCLE: The hawkmoth feeds , mates and lay in a space of a few days. The egg group is layed on the Weeping Emu bush and is normally hatched in a few days. The Emu bush grub eats continuously in the warm weather and within 10-12 days they grow to 6cm in length.They burrow 10cm and form an under ground chamber to pupate. They change into adult hawkmoths within 12-24 days.
By Latoyah