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

ConBoekel wrote:

5 hrs ago

Hi Don, drowned so a bit of decomposition has happened. I thought it was worth a go as it floated past, just in case.

Threnosia heminephes

donhe wrote:

6 hrs ago

No upturned palps visible.

Threnosia heminephes

WendyEM wrote:

12 hrs ago

As far as I can see the main differentiation in these species is the shape and number of spots in antemedial (AM) area. Also presence/absence of a dot or vertical line in large medial (M) patch.
G. saginaea - 2 AM spots; dot in large M spot, M spot tapers away approaching inner margin
G. sp. USNM5 - 2 AM spots, different shapes to above; dot in large M spot, M spot less tapered
G. prionsticha - 3 or 4 AM spots; M spot on costa, rest of band mostly dark with indistinct small spots
G. flavia - 3 AM spots, large on margins, small one between; 2 M spots
So above moth conforms with G. flavia
I am unsure what genus to use on NM Ian? Gymnasura or Asura ??

Gymnasura flavia

WendyEM wrote:

12 hrs ago

https://bold-au.hobern.net/taxon.php?taxid=283120
Bold (Hobern) shows 4 possible Gymnasura sp 2 named (G. saginaea & G. prionsticha), 2 not (G. sp.USNM4 & G. sp.USNM5)
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/arct/saginaea.html
There is also G. flavia
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/arct/flavia.html
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/993706-Asura-flavia ???

Gymnasura flavia

DiBickers wrote:

16 hrs ago

Gorgeous photo @jb2602 🤎

Orgyia anartoides