Moths (Lepidoptera)

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Useful references:

CSIRO's Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) - Australian Moths Online
Don Herbison-Evans web pages:
- Moths of Australia
- Australian caterpillars and their butterflies and moths

In the notes provided about individual species, semi-technical terms are sometimes used. They are briely explained below.

Labial palpi. These are paired appendages extending from the lower part of the head, on either side of the proboscis. They provide important information about the family of the moth.

Parts of a moth’s wing:

Costa: The leading edge of the wing

Inner margin: The trailing edge of the wing

Termen: The outer margin of the wing, connecting the costa to the inner margin

Apex: The leading tip of the wing, where the costa and termen meet

Tornus: The trailing corner of the wing, where the termen and inner margin meet

Cilia. Long hairy scales along an edge of the wing

Moths (Lepidoptera)

Anthelid moths (Anthelidae)

Case moths (Psychidae)

Concealer moths (Oecophoridae)

Curved-horn moths (all Gelechioidea except Oecophoridae)

Emperor moths (Saturniidae)

Geometer moths (Geometridae)

Hawk moths (Sphingidae)

Noctuoid moths (except Arctiinae)

Pyralid or Snout Moths (Pyralidae & Crambidae)

Sun moths (Castniidae)

Swift and Ghost moths (Hepialidae)

Tiger moths (Arctiinae)

Tortricid moths (Tortricidae)

Wood moths (Cossidae)

Other moths

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Discussion

WendyEM wrote:

1 hr ago

@Lkaila could it be Labdia argophracta ? I think I have also recorded it in central Victoria

Elachista flammula

WendyEM wrote:

1 hr ago

Thanks Lkaila. I have proposed "Coleophoridae" which is available on NM. Is this a single genus in Australia (as far as we know)? I could create "Coleophora (genus)" ?
ibaird - NM has "Coleophoridae" listed (twice) in 'other moths' while ALA has it in GELECHIOIDEA. Is there a reason for this, or is it a slipup?

Coleophoridae (Family)

AlisonMilton wrote:

5 hrs ago

@WendyEM Thanks Wendy. Just what I was thinking. I'll take her back tonight and let nature take it's course. It's only five minutes down the road from my place.

Calliteara pura

Lkaila wrote:

11 hrs ago

Because of the shape and scaling of labial palpi, as well as by the traces of browninsh pattern. Possibly Scrobipalpa sp.

Elachistidae species (family)

Lkaila wrote:

11 hrs ago

Typical posture for Coleophora with forward directed antennae which is shared with Plutellidae. Coleophora serinipennella is in Australia widespread, originally imported species which is very variable, much more so than in pictures I have seen, so t me the most likely option. The two small dark spots are typical of this species. A warning: this genus is very poorly documented in Australa and there can be many more species than currently "officially" recognized.

Coleophoridae (Family)