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

Moderators

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donhe

ibaird

DiBickers

WendyEM

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Discussion

WendyEM wrote:

41 min ago

I am confused about what dots are lacking. Above moth has dots along termen of fore and hindwing, and lots of fringe beyond as it is not worn. Have a look at images on 2 CD pages of Moths of Victoria Part 3, 2nd Ed Idaea sp(1). The Australian distribution map of the iNat specimens suggests the recent introduction theory. Compared to native Idaea sp iNat maps I have looked at.

Idaea inquinata

ibaird wrote:

2 hrs ago

Similar, but seems to ;ack the marginal black dots on the forewing and hindwing?
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/466365-Idaea-inquinata
Looking at BOLD Systems 4 'Idaea Australia' there a large number of named and un-named possibilities in the genus.
I'm nit sure it matches BOLD Idaea sp. 14 given that specimen's largel black dot.

Idaea inquinata

ibaird wrote:

2 hrs ago

donhe: It's a relatively new region. Logging out and logging in again may restore your moderator's status.

Epidesmia tricolor

WendyEM wrote:

3 hrs ago

OK. Compare this moth and https://bold-au.hobern.net/specimen.php?processid=ANICN993-10
Termen fore & hind wing thin alternating dark & light bands. HINDWING pale patch in terminal area, spanning several veins, containing a few dark spots & rings. Pale subterminal band with irregular border. Brown medial band. Borders smooth except for a couple of bumps. Pale antemedial band, with a dark patch near costa, only seen if forewings widely spread. Base of hindwing dark. FOREWING Blank/unmarked section along inner margin for between 1/2 - 1/3 of width of forewing. Background colour brown. Sub terminal area contains some scattered pale spots. Pale post medial band, smooth top, more irregular bottom, extending from a distance in from the costa to the bank/unmarked section along inner margin. Pale antemedial row of spots. Pale antemedial line of spots. Palps extending in front of face.

Ischnurges illustralis

Gaylesp8 wrote:

8 hrs ago

@DBickers, yes very elusive little moths by the sounds of it, I will continue to keep an eye out for it and hope it is doing ok in this area. 😊

Choreutis periploca