Moths (Lepidoptera)

Add a sighting Subscribe View significant View unverified

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

Featured sightings

Oxymacaria odontias at Birdum, NT - 27 Dec 2025 by chriselidie

Scieropepla typhicola (A Xyloryctid moth (Xyloryctidae) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 21 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Epiphyas euphara at Yaouk, NSW - 13 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Barea anerasta (A Concealer moth (Barea group) by DianneClarke

Oxythecta neurota (A Concealer moth (Oecophorinae)) at Jerrabomberra, NSW - 2 Dec 2025 by DianneClarke

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

Latest sightings

Chrysolarentia conifasciata (Broad-banded Carpet) at Tharwa, ACT - 7 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Chrysolarentia lucidulata (Lucid Carpet) at Tharwa, ACT - 7 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Psilogramma casuarinae (Privet Hawk Moth) at Oaks Estate, ACT - Yesterday by Fionaa

Monopis icterogastra (Wool Moth) at Crowther, NSW - Yesterday by Frecko

Doratifera quadriguttata (Four-spotted Cup Moth) at Red Hill, ACT - Yesterday by LisaH

Philobota impletella Group (A concealer moth) at Cotter River, ACT - 12 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Uresiphita ornithopteralis (Tree Lucerne Moth) at Cotter River, ACT - 12 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Aeolochroma metarhodata (Tea-tree Emerald (Geometrinae)) at Theodore, ACT - 17 Jan 2026 by Cardy

Paralaea (genus) at Curtin, ACT - 17 Jan 2026 by iancurtin

Crypsiphona ocultaria (Red-lined Looper Moth) at Lower Borough, NSW - 13 Jan 2026 by Harrisi

Hyalarcta nigrescens (Ribbed Case Moth) at Belconnen, ACT - 15 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Chelepteryx collesi (White-stemmed Gum Moth) at Belconnen, ACT - 15 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Anestia (genus) (A tiger moth) at Belconnen, ACT - 15 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Calliteara pura (Perfect Tussock Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 14 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Macrobathra aphristis (A Gelechioid moth) at Higgins, ACT - 14 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Denman Prospect, ACT - 16 Jan 2026 by Jennybach

Agrotis munda (Brown Cutworm) at Surf Beach, NSW - 15 Jan 2026 by LyndalT

Ectropis excursaria (Common Bark Moth) at Theodore, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by ChrisSutevski

Endoxyla lituratus (A Wattle Goat Moth) at Mongarlowe, NSW - 11 Jan 2026 by Dron

Anthelidae (family) (Unidentified Anthelid moth or Australian woolly bear) by Dron

Mythimna (Pseudaletia) convecta (Common Armyworm) at Higgins, ACT - 14 Jan 2026 by Untidy

Arhodia lasiocamparia (Pink Arhodia (Oenochrominae)) at Jerrabomberra, NSW - 14 Jan 2026 by SteveBorkowskis

Chelepteryx collesi (White-stemmed Gum Moth) at Broulee, NSW - 14 Jan 2026 by ssflor

Faveria tritalis (Couchgrass Webworm) at Lyons, ACT - 14 Jan 2026 by ran452

Crocanthes micradelpha (A longhorned moth) at Acton, ACT - 13 Jan 2026 by TimL

Genduara acedesta (Painted Clear Winged Snout Moth) by SteveBorkowskis

Neumichtis nigerrima (Black Turnip Moth) at Gundaroo, NSW - 13 Jan 2026 by Gunyijan

Ocrasa acerasta (A Pyralid moth) at Cook, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by CathB

Lepidoptera unclassified IMMATURE by inquisitive

Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth, Common Cutworm) at Wollogorang, NSW - 13 Jan 2026 by trevorpreston

Tortricinae (subfamily) (A tortrix moth) at Lyons, ACT - 13 Jan 2026 by ran452

Utetheisa pulchelloides (Heliotrope Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Pholodes sinistraria (Sinister or Frilled Bark Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Endoxyla encalypti (Wattle Goat Moth) at Duffy, ACT - 12 Jan 2026 by Harrisi

Cyneoterpna wilsoni (Cyneoterpna wilsoni) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Mataeomera mesotaenia (Large Scale Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Idaea inversata at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Idaea costaria at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Hellula hydralis (Cabbage Centre Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Ectropis excursaria (Common Bark Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Cosmodes elegans (Green Blotched Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Zermizinga sinuata (Lucerne Looper, Spider Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Sceliodes cordalis (Eggfruit Caterpillar, Poroporo Fruit Borer) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Clania ignobilis (Faggot Case Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Clania lewinii & similar Casemoths (Parallel stick Case Moths) at Scullin, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Conoeca or Lepidoscia (genera) IMMATURE (Unidentified Cone Case Moth larva, pupa, or case) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Conoeca or Lepidoscia (genera) IMMATURE (Unidentified Cone Case Moth larva, pupa, or case) at Scullin, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Anestia (genus) (A tiger moth) at Watson, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by abread111

Nemophora (genus) (A Fairy Moth) at Kambah, ACT - 12 Jan 2026 by HelenCross

Chelepteryx collesi (White-stemmed Gum Moth) at Acton, ACT - 12 Jan 2026 by JessBelle

Oncopera rufobrunnea (Brown Corby) at Parkes, ACT - 30 Dec 2025 by TimL

Macrobathra desmotoma ( A Cosmet moth) at Aranda, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by KMcCue

Epermenia exilis (Shark Moth (family Epermeniidae)) at O'Connor, ACT - 30 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Arctiinae (subfamily) (A Tiger Moth or Woolly Bear) at O'Connor, ACT - 9 Jan 2026 by Hejor1

Faveria tritalis (Couchgrass Webworm) at Turner, ACT - 9 Jan 2026 by Hejor1

Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 9 Jan 2026 by Hejor1

Neola semiaurata (Wattle Notodontid Moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 9 Jan 2026 by Hejor1

Synemon plana (Golden Sun Moth) at Curtin, ACT - 13 Nov 2025 by RAllen

Hyles livornicoides (Australian Striped hawk Moth) at Crowther, NSW - 11 Jan 2026 by Frecko

Nomophila corticalis (A Crambid moth (Spilomelinae) at Crowther, NSW - 11 Jan 2026 by Frecko

Faveria tritalis (Couchgrass Webworm) at Crowther, NSW - 11 Jan 2026 by Frecko

Wheeleria spilodactylus (Horehound plume moth) at Harrison, ACT - 10 Dec 2025 by DPRees125

Calamotropha paludella (Bulrush Veneer) by DPRees125

Talanga tolumnialis (Figleaf Moth) at Virginia, QLD - 2 Jan 2026 by KMcCue

Nyctereutica melanophorella (A Webworm moth (Epipaschiinae) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2026 by CathB

Nacoleia rhoeoalis (A Crambid moth (Spilomelinae) by CathB

Didymoctenia exsuperata (Thick-lined Bark Moth) by CathB

Stegommata sulfuratella (Banksia Leaf-Miner) by CathB

Bondia nigella (A Fruitworm moth (Family Carposinidae)) by CathB

Psilosticha absorpta (Fine-waved Bark Moth) by CathB

Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Cook, ACT - 8 Jan 2026 by CathB

Labdia nesophora or nby species by CathB

Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth) at Palmerston, ACT - 9 Jan 2026 by Noddap

Agrotis munda (Brown Cutworm) at Braidwood, NSW - 8 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Pinara divisa (Common Pinara, Lasiocampidae) at Canberra, ACT - 8 Jan 2026 by mauritsz

Faveria tritalis (Couchgrass Webworm) at Braidwood, NSW - 8 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Dissomorphia australiaria (Dashed Geometrid, Ennominae) at Braidwood, NSW - 8 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Mythimna (Pseudaletia) convecta (Common Armyworm) at Braidwood, NSW - 8 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Helicoverpa punctigera (Native Budworm) at Braidwood, NSW - 8 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Hyalarcta nigrescens (Ribbed Case Moth) at Kambah, ACT - 6 Jan 2026 by Hejor1

Psilogramma casuarinae (Privet Hawk Moth) at Latham, ACT - 29 Dec 2025 by LD12

Alcides metaurus (Zodiac Moth) at West Mackay, QLD - 25 Nov 2025 by Liam.m

Barea codrella at Hall, ACT - 7 Jan 2026 by Anna123

Neumichtis nigerrima (Black Turnip Moth) at Hall, ACT - 7 Jan 2026 by Anna123

Diplopseustis perieresalis (Eastern Black Tabby) by sangio7

Metura elongatus (Saunders' Case Moth) by timdownunda

Hyalarcta huebneri (Leafy Case Moth) at Gungahlin, ACT - 5 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Uraba lugens (Gumleaf Skeletonizer) at Hawker, ACT - 6 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Moderators

MichaelMulvaney

donhe

ibaird

KimPullen

SuziBond

HarveyPerkins

KimberiRP

GlennCocking

Amata

WendyEM

DiBickers

JulieMorgan

canberrabutterflies

become a moderator

Announcements

There are currently no announcements.

Discussion

ibaird wrote:

14 min ago

A new s[ecies xighting for NatureMapr An excellent photo and record,

Eulechria acrotropa

ibaird wrote:

26 min ago

A tropical species native to far north Australia. A new species recording for NatureMapr. Excellent photo.

Oxymacaria odontias

WendyEM wrote:

1 hr ago

Oxymacaria odontias
https://bold-au.hobern.net/specimens.php?taxid=8646
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&preferred_place_id=6744&quality_grade=research&taxon_id=472855

Oxymacaria odontias

chriselidie wrote:

3 hrs ago

Sorry, didn't even notice... Will re-upload the photos now

Oxymacaria odontias

WendyEM wrote:

4 hrs ago

Eulechria acrotropa
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&preferred_place_id=6744&quality_grade=research&taxon_id=1548702
https://bold-au.hobern.net/specimens.php?taxid=414791

Eulechria acrotropa

Significant sightings

Synemon plana at Lyneham, ACT
Synemon plana at O'Connor, ACT
Agrotis infusa at Ainslie, ACT
Baiocystis chrysoides at Barren Grounds, NSW
Anthela addita at West Hobart, TAS
Proteuxoa sp. (03) (MoV, Part 9) at Harrison, ACT
Androchela newmannaria at Crowther, NSW
Hymeninae sp, (2) (MoV) at Bulli, NSW
Nola tornotis at Bulli, NSW
Rehimena surusalis

Species Richness Score (SRS)

8,891

Top contributors

kasiaaus 5.9K
jb2602 3.1K
PJH123 2.7K
WendyEM 2.1K
ConBoekel 2.1K
AlisonMilton 2K
Hejor1 1.8K
Bron 1.2K
SteveBorkowskis 1.2K
GlennCocking 1K

Top moderators

donhe 17.8K
ibaird 16.3K
GlennCocking 3.4K
DianneClarke 2.2K
WendyEM 2K
MichaelMulvaney 770
JulieMorgan 185
MichaelBedingfield 172
kasiaaus 129
KimPullen 96