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

Macrobathra myriophthalma (A Cosmet moth (Cosmopteriginae))

Macrobathra nephelomorpha (A curved-horn moth)

Macrobathra platychroa (A Gelechioid moth (Cosmopterigidae))

Macrobathra rubicundella (Cosmopterigidae)

Macrobathra trithyra (Macrobathra trithyra)

Macrobathra undescribed species No.1 (A Seed borer moth (Cosmopterigidae))

Macroglossum errans (Australian Hummingbird Hawkmoth)

Maliattha amorpha (Brown Bar Moth)

Maliattha ritsemae (A Noctuid moth (Acontiinae)

Maliattha signifera (Acontinae)

ALA Image

Mamestra dictyota (Well-marked Armyworm)

Manulea replana (Lichen-eating Caterpillar)

Maroga melanostigma (Pecan Stem Girdler)

Maruca vitrata (Beanpod Borer)

Mataeomera (genus) (A Scale Moth, Acontiinae)

Protective case covering on caterpillar

Mataeomera coccophaga (Brown Scale-moth)

Mataeomera dubia (Variable Scale-moth)

Mataeomera ligata (Black-tipped Scale-moth)

Mataeomera mesotaenia (Large Scale Moth)

Maxates (genus) (An Emerald moth)

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