Caterpillars
The Caterpillars of the White Cedar Moth have become a serious pest of Cape Lilac trees in Perth over the last few years. Their voracious appetite can leave the largest trees completely stripped of leaves. The adult Moth is grey-brown with black hairs covering its body is mostly active at night. It lays greyish coloured eggs in neat clusters, usually on the tree or in woodpiles. They can also lay their eggs under shade cloth and behind curtains. Eggs hatch as black-brown hairy caterpillars with a faint yellow stripe. They quickly grow, feeding at night time only on Cape Lilac trees only. They are sensitive to sunlight when small, and when larger,