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

Latest sightings

Pyralis farinalis (Meal Moth (Pyralinae) at Lawson, ACT - Yesterday by TimL

Taxeotis (genus) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Dec 2025 by LisaH

Utetheisa pulchelloides (Heliotrope Moth) by LisaH

Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth) at Cotter River, ACT - Yesterday by AdamHenderson

Oxythecta neurota (A Concealer moth (Oecophorinae) by DianneClarke

Anachloris subochraria (Golden Grass Carpet (Ennominae)) at Russell, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Crepidosceles orthomochla (Wingia group) by DianneClarke

Ardozyga desmatra (A Gelechioid moth) by DianneClarke

Arhodia lasiocamparia (Pink Arhodia (Oenochrominae)) at Googong, NSW - Yesterday by BrianSummers

Anthela varia (Hairy Mary) at Googong, NSW - Yesterday by BrianSummers

Hestiochora (genus) (A Forester or Burnet moth (Artonini)) at Palerang, NSW - 9 Dec 2025 by Csteele4

Ichneumenoptera chrysophanes (Clearwing Persimmon Borer) at Acton, ACT - 9 Dec 2025 by HelenCross

Synemon plana (Golden Sun Moth) at Forde, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by Numbat

Philobota philostaura (A Concealer moth (Philobota group)) by Paul4K

Phrissogonus laticostata (Apple Looper Moth) at Hall, ACT - 7 Dec 2025 by Rosie

Rupicolana celatrix (A Tortricid moth (Archipini) at Turner, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Thema psammoxantha (A concealer moth) at Turner, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Agrotis porphyricollis (Variable Cutworm) at Turner, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Tortricopsis euryphanella (A Concealer moth (Wingia group)) at Turner, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Syncometes vilis (Barea Group) at Turner, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Faveria tritalis (Couchgrass Webworm) at Turner, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Hoplostega ochroma (a Eulechria Group moth) at Turner, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Philobota latifissella (A Concealer moth (Philobota group) at Turner, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Idaea costaria (White-edged Wave) at Turner, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Pollanisus (genus) (A Forester Moth) by arjay

Hestiochora erythrota (A Forester or Burnet moth (Zygaenidae)) by arjay

Heliomystis electrica (Electric Moth) by arjay

Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth) at Charleys Forest, NSW - 1 Nov 2025 by arjay

Xyloryctidae (family) (Timber Moths) at Charleys Forest, NSW - 19 Sep 2025 by arjay

Thema brevivitella (A Concealer moth (Chezala Group)) at Downer, ACT - 9 Dec 2025 by RobertD

Philobota impletella Group (A concealer moth) at Wyanbene, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by Harrisi

Epicoma (genus) (Unidentified Prominent moth) at Aranda, ACT - 8 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Comocrus behri (Mistletoe Day Moth) at Kambah, ACT - 8 Dec 2025 by HelenCross

Phelotis cognata (Long-fringed Bark Moth) at Bonython, ACT - 8 Dec 2025 by GG

Hypobapta percomptaria (Southern Grey) at Goulburn, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by glbn1

Sophta concavata (Varied Hookwing) at Goulburn, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by glbn1

Ptyoptila matutinella (Wingia Group) at Goulburn, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by glbn1

Euproctis limbalis (Bordered Browntail Moth) at Cook, ACT - 8 Dec 2025 by Roger

Asthenoptycha sp. A (ANIC) (A Tortricid moth (Tortricinae) at Paddys River, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by TimL

Scioglyptis chionomera (Grey Patch Bark Moth) at Paddys River, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by TimL

Geometridae (family) IMMATURE at Holt, ACT - 7 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

$Ectropis fractaria (Ringed Bark Moth) at Greenleigh, NSW - 7 Dec 2025 by LyndalT$

Garrha costimacula at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Hyalarcta nigrescens (Ribbed Case Moth) at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Conoeca guildingi (A case moth) at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Utetheisa (genus) (A tiger moth) at Queanbeyan West, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by Paul4K

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Kingston, ACT - 6 Dec 2025 by JimL

Amata (genus) at Howlong, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by Belmal

Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Jerrabomberra, NSW - 2 Dec 2025 by DianneClarke

Melanodes anthracitaria (Black Geometrid) by TimL

Chlorocoma vertumnaria (Red-fringed Emerald) at Denman Prospect, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by Harrisi

Crypsiphona ocultaria (Red-lined Looper Moth) at Bruce, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Philobota group (Oecophoridae) at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Pedois epinephela (A Gelechioid moth (Depressariidae) at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Conoeca or Lepidoscia (genera) IMMATURE (Unidentified Cone Case Moth larva, pupa, or case) at Bruce, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Crocanthes glycina (Lecithoceridae) at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by CathB

Helicoverpa punctigera (Native Budworm) at Higgins, ACT - 5 Dec 2025 by MichaelWenke

Helicoverpa punctigera (Native Budworm) at Conder, ACT - 17 Oct 2025 by MichaelBedingfield

Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth, Common Cutworm) at Holder, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by Miranda

Hellula hydralis (Cabbage Centre Moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Clania ignobilis (Faggot Case Moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Eulechria electrodes (Yellow Eulechria Moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Hypobapta (genus) (A Geometer moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Philobota (genus) (Unidentified Philobota genus moths) at Mitchell, ACT - 1 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Helicoverpa (genus) (A bollworm) at Latham, ACT - 26 Sep 2025 by rjwhite

Agrotis munda (Brown Cutworm) at Latham, ACT - 26 Sep 2025 by rjwhite

Pholodes sinistraria (Sinister or Frilled Bark Moth) at Latham, ACT - 26 Sep 2025 by rjwhite

Melanodes anthracitaria (Black Geometrid) at Latham, ACT - 15 Oct 2025 by rjwhite

Anestia (genus) (A tiger moth) at Aspendale Gardens, VIC - 4 Dec 2025 by TanyaB

Alucita phricodes (A Many-plumed Moth) at Acton, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by TimL

Macrobathra desmotoma ( A Cosmet moth) at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Isomoralla pyrrhoptera (A concealer moth) at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth) at Bruce, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Pollanisus (genus) (A Forester Moth) at Bungendore, NSW - 3 Dec 2025 by SteveBorkowskis

Endoxyla cinereas (Giant Wood Moth) at Pappinbarra, NSW - 16 Nov 2025 by jonvanbeest

Chelepteryx collesi (White-stemmed Gum Moth) at Weston, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by MttDns

Chlenias belophora (Centreline Crest-moth) by LisaH

Eutrichopidia latinus (Yellow-banded Day-moth) by LisaH

Ardices canescens (Dark-spotted Tiger Moth) at Waramanga, ACT - 16 Jan 2024 by AndyRoo

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Waramanga, ACT - 16 Jan 2025 by AndyRoo

Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth, Common Cutworm) at Waramanga, ACT - 30 Oct 2025 by AndyRoo

Paramsacta marginata (Donovan's Tiger Moth) at Bredbo, NSW - 30 Oct 2025 by AndyRoo

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Waramanga, ACT - 20 Oct 2025 by AndyRoo

Amata nigriceps (A Handmaiden moth) by LisaH

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Moruya, NSW - 16 Nov 2025 by LisaH

Pernattia pusilla (She-Oak Moth) by LisaH

Epicoma contristis (Yellow-spotted Epicoma Moth) by LisaH

Asura lydia (Lydia Lichen Moth) at Moruya, NSW - 15 Nov 2025 by LisaH

Platagarista macleayi (Macleay's Day-Moth) by LisaH

Agrotis porphyricollis (Variable Cutworm) at Moruya, NSW - 14 Nov 2025 by LisaH

Glyphipterix chrysoplanetis (A Sedge Moth) at Lyons, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ran452

Halone coryphoea (Eastern Halone moth) at Lyons, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ran452

Trichiocercus sparshalli (Sparshall's Moth) at Olney, NSW - 31 Dec 2020 by Minty

Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Aranda, ACT - 21 Nov 2025 by CathB

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Discussion

HelenCross wrote:

15 min ago

Thanks Wendy, I found the Moths in the A.C.T. book uses Paranthrella too

Ichneumenoptera chrysophanes

DianneClarke wrote:

1 hr ago

Thanks Wendy - that looks right

Barea (genus)

WendyEM wrote:

1 hr ago

Barea anerasta ?
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&quality_grade=research&taxon_id=930993

Barea (genus)

WendyEM wrote:

2 hrs ago

Rupicolana celatrix
https://bold-au.hobern.net/specimens.php?taxid=365352
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&preferred_place_id=6744&quality_grade=research&taxon_id=1584550

Rupicolana celatrix

WendyEM wrote:

2 hrs ago

Nature Mapr goes by AFD where it is still Ichneumenoptera
https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/154a3019-fd2a-4315-8970-9615d11e1971#names
iNat uses a different list so often has different names.

Ichneumenoptera chrysophanes