Moth (Lepidoptera) field guide

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

Atheropla decaspila (A concealer moth)

Atheropla psammodes (A Concealer moth (Eulechria group))

Athetis tenuis (Plain Tenuis Moth)

Atteva megalastra (An Ermine moth (Yponomeutidae)

Atteva niphocosma (An Ermine moth)

Australiopalpa sp. (Australiopalpa sp.)

Australothis rubrescens (Indian Weed Caterpillar)

Austrazenia pura (A Noctuid moth (Stiriinae)

Austrocaligula loranthi (Mistletoe Emperor Moth)

Austrocarea iocephala (Broad-headed Moth)

Austroterpna ideographa (Geometrinae (Pseudoterprini))

Austroterpna paratorna (Rounded Grey (Geometrinae))

Male

Female

Underside

Austroterpna undescribed species (A Geometer moth (Geometrinae))

Autarotis milvellus (Crambinae)

Authaemon stenonipha (Pale-bordered Cape-moth (Ennominae))

Autoba abrupta (A Noctoid moth (Acontiinae)

Autoba pectorora (A Noctuid moth (Acontiinae)

Autoba rubra (A Noctuid moth (Acontinae)

Autoba versicolor (A Noctuid moth (Acontiinae subfamily0)

Autocharis miltosoma (A Cramdid moth (Odontiinae)

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