Zygaenidae
The Zygaenids are day-flying iridescent moths, distributed around the world (see the Cistus Forester in the Moths of Derbyshire part 1 section of the site).
Pollanisus viridipulverulenta
Para Wirra RP, Adelaide Hills
Ennominae
The moths in this family are characteristically broad, flat moths which often mimic foliage or bark superbly.
Ectropis excursaria
The very similar E.bispinaria differs in having a smoothly-curved black line on the hindwings and different antennae. To my knowledge, it is unrecorded from South Australia.
E.excursaria is common across southern Australia, especially in the south-east where it is a familiar moth in suburban Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Gastrinodes bitaeniaria (Ennominae)
The heavy, black, wavy cross-lines on the wings, bordered underneath by brown cross-lines are distinctive in this species, altbough the general pattern is much like many other Ennominae.
Idiodes apicata
Mottled form
I.apicata is found across the southern half of Australia, where its larvae feed on Bracken.
Exesaria of Guenee (Ennominae)
Its pattern of four wavy, rather dotted, black cross-lines on a pale grey background helps to identify it.
Nisista serrata
Its larvae feed on Acacias, and the species can be found across southern Australia.
Scioglyptis canescaria
This species is widespread across southern Australia.
Geometrinae
This family includes the Emeralds - a group of beautiful, medium-sized, bright green Geometrids. Several similar species are found in the Adelaide Hills.
Chlorocoma assimilis
C.assimilis can be recognise by the pale green, unmarked wings with a yellow leading and trailing edge. The thorax also has a yellow line down its centre.
Chlorocoma externa
C.externa is widespread in south-eastern Australia, where its larvae feed on the parasitic plant Exocarpos cuppressiformis.
Prasinocyma semicrocea (Common Gum Emerald)
Prasinocyma albicosta
Crypsiphona ocultaria
Austroterpna paratorna
This species is widespread in south-eastern Australia.
Rhinodia rostraria (Ennominae)
R.rostraria is widespread in Australia and recorded in all states except the Northern Territory.
underwing markings (female - note the eggs laid in the container)
Upper wing markings
Oenochrominae
Oenochroma vinaria (Pink-bellied Moth)
The larvae feed on various plants in the Proteaceae family.
Taxeotis intextata
Dichromodes explanata
Dichromodes sp (diffusaria or explanata)
Photographed at Alligator Gorge, Mt Remarkable NP.
Dichromodes sp
Currently unidentified!
Taxeotis stereospila
Dichromodes sp
Currently unidentified!
Larentiinae
Chrysolarentia insulata
Para Wirra RP, Adelaide Hills
Anachloris subochraria
Anachloris uncinata
Chloroclystis filata
Chloroclystis testulata
Chloroclystis sp (currently unidentified)
Epyaxa subidaria
Phrissogonus laticostata
male
female
Xanthorrhoe sp (currently unidentified)
underside view
Sterrhinae
Scoparia rubra
Lasiocampidae
Doratifera quadriguttata
Anthelidae
There are over 50 Anthela species in Australia, and A.ocellata is a common and widespread member of the genus.
Anthela ocellata
Anthela ocellata showing threat / defence posture.
Saturniidae
The Saturniidae, or Emperor Moths as they are commonly known, is a family of large, often spectacular moths with a worldwide distribution. There are only 15 species in Australia, of which the Helena Gum Moth is the most common in South Australia. The Saturniid family contains some of the largest moths in the world.
Opodiphthera helena (Helena Gum Moth)
Sphingidae
The Hawk Moths are distinctive, fast-flying moths with a world-wide distribution. South Australia has very few species, and Australia as a whole has relatively few.
Hippotion scrofa
Lymantriidae
The Tussock Moths are conspicuous with their furry bodies and legs. The larvae are even more spectacularly hairy, and some species can cause skin rashes when handled, whilst others are serious pests as their larvae stay in voracious bands that can defoliate whole shrubs. When handled, the adults often play dead and display the hairy abdomen, which is often brightly coloured.
Acyphas leucomelas
Adult 'playing dead'
Arctiidae
The Arctiids are typically boldly-marked moths, and include the well-known tiger moths. Many are active by day as well as night.
Utethesia pulchelloides
Spilosoma glatignyi
Nyctemera amica (Magpie Moth)
Termessa diplographa
Termessa shepherdi
T.shepherdii is widely distributed across temperate south-eastern Australia.
Thallarcha partita
Nolidae
Aquita tactalis
Thanks to Dave Britton for the information and identification.
Nolidae sp 1
Thanks to Dave Britton for the information.
Nolidae sp 2
Noctuidae
The Noctuids are the largest family of Lepidoptera in the world. They are very diverse on colour and shape, but many have the characteristic kidney-mark on the wings, as well as thin antennae in males and females. In Australia, this family includes the well-known Bogong Moth (see below), and several economically important pests of agriculture.
Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth) (Noctuinae)
Agrotis munda (Noctuinae)
Agrotis porphyricolla (Noctuniae)
Diarsia intermixta (Noctuniae)
Proteuxoa sanguinipunctata (Amphipyrinae)
Spodoptera exigua (Amphipyrinae)
Hypoperigea tonsa (Amphipyrinae?)
Athetis tenuis (probably) (Amphipyrinae)
Toracolopha flexirena (Amphipyrinae)
Chrysodeixis argentifera (Plusiinae)
The common name of Tobacco Looper seems unusual, as the larvae ar enot recorded as feeding on Tobacco (Nicotiana) species.
Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Plusiinae)
Helicoverpa punctigera (Heliothiiinae)
Heliothis punctifera (Heliothiinae)
Praxis edwardsii (Catocalinae)
Dasypodia selenophora (Catocalinae)
Larvae feed on Acacia species and adults often hibernate over winter.
Diatenes aglossoides (Catocalinae)
Diatenes igneipicta (Catocalinae)
Pantydia sparsa (Catocalinae)
Pantydia is a small genus, with fewer than ten described Australian species.
Thanks to Dave Britton for the identification.
Persectania ewingii (Hadeninae)
Leucania diatrecta (Hadeninae)
Ochrogaster lunifer (Thaumetopoeidae)
Odd defensive posture, spreading wings and curved abdomen.
Trichiocercus sparshallii (Thaumetopeidae)
Periscepta polysticta (Agaristinae)
Metaeomera mesotaenia (Acontiinae)
Elusa semipecten
Elusa is a genus of uncertain affinity within the Noctuid superfamily. Thanks to Ted Edwards for the identification.
'Micro-moths'
Pyralids
Hellula hydralis (Glaphyriinae)
Uresiphita ornithopteralis (Tree Lucerne Moth) (Pyraustinae)
Achyra affinitalis (Pyraustinae)
Gauna aegusalis (Pyralinae)
Nacoleia sp (Pyraustinae)
a different specimen - perhaps a different species, with more extensive white markings?
Ocrasa acerasta (Pyralinae)
Sedenia atracta (Pyraustinae)
Crepidosceles exanthema (Oecophorinae)
Euchaetis rhizobola (Oecophorinae)
Philobota lysizona (Oecophorinae)
Etiella behrii (Phycitinae)
Mimaglossa nauplialis (Epipaschinae)
Meyriccia latro (Galleriinae)
Caterpillar 1
Alligator Gorge, Mt Remarkable NP, Flinders Ranges
Stibaroma sp
Melanodes anthracitaria
Melanodes is found in all the eastern states of Australia. The larve feed on various species of eucalypt.
Unidentified species
Moth 1
Text to follow soon!
Moth 2
Text to follow soon!
Caterpillar 1
Anstey Hill RP, Mount Lofty Ranges
Caterpillar 2
Anstey Hill RP, Mount Lofty Ranges
Cossidae
Endoxyla cinereus (Giant Wood Moth)
The individual photographed here made a point of showing its red and black bands, which are only partially visible until the abdomen is flexed. Perhaps it was mimicking a wasp.
