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

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Discussion

WendyEM wrote:

Yesterday

A way to see more moths is to hang a white sheet on the clothesline in the garden, a rope hung between 2 posts/trees etc on a calm, ideally still night. Shine bright light - white/uv end of spectrum (i.e. not 'warm') on the sheet from a distance in front that illuminates the sheet. I currently use several compact fluorescent lights. You can use bright LED light array. A couple of nights ago I did this and got over 100 species of moths plus beetles, flies, bugs, ants, wasps etc It is not always this good, it depends on the night. You need a flash to take the photos and a small pen torch to light moths for focusing in darker areas or on the back of the sheet. It takes a while to get the hang of all of this, so don't get downhearted if early attempts are not great

Philobota xiphopepla

kasiaaus wrote:

Yesterday

I don't think that's it Ian but I may be mistaken.

Unidentified Concealer moth (Oecophoridae)

ibaird wrote:

Yesterday

Perhaps Scoliocheta ergatis?

Unidentified Concealer moth (Oecophoridae)

KylieWaldon wrote:

Yesterday

TY wendyEM and ibaird. Its a shame this season I have seen so few moths. Will continue to keep eyes peeled.