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

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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

Featured sightings

Anthela asterias (An Anthelid moth (Anthelidae) at Tibooburra, NSW - 3 May 2022 by AaronClausen

Latest sightings

Conoeca guildingi (A case moth) at Russell, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Scopula rubraria at Russell, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Philobota undescribed species near arabella at Parkes, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Lepidoscia heliochares at Campbell, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Anestia (genus) (A tiger moth) at Parkes, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Orescoa orites at Reid, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Thema macroscia at Campbell, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Uraba lugens (Gumleaf Skeletonizer) at Russell, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Lepidoptera unclassified IMMATURE (caterpillar or pupa or cocoon) at Russell, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Lepidoptera unclassified IMMATURE (caterpillar or pupa or cocoon) at Braddon, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Plutella xylostella (Diamondback Moth) by clarehoneydove

Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth, Common Cutworm) at Bungendore, NSW - Yesterday by clarehoneydove

Peritropha oligodrachma (A twig moth) at Higgins, ACT - Yesterday by AlisonMilton

Chelepteryx collesi at Higgins, ACT - Yesterday by AlisonMilton

Utetheisa (genus) (A tiger moth) at Higgins, ACT - Yesterday by AlisonMilton

Leistomorpha brontoscopa (A concealer moth) at Downer, ACT - Yesterday by RobertD

Hippotion scrofa (Coprosma Hawk Moth) at Higgins, ACT - Yesterday by AlisonMilton

Chrysodeixis argentifera (Tobacco Looper) at Higgins, ACT - Yesterday by AlisonMilton

Sinpunctiptilia emissalis (Speedwell Pterror) at Higgins, ACT - Yesterday by AlisonMilton

Phrissogonus laticostata (Apple looper moth) at Higgins, ACT - Yesterday by AlisonMilton

Barea codrella (A concealer moth) at Higgins, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by AlisonMilton

Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by AlisonMilton

Zermizinga sinuata (Lucerne Looper, Spider Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by AlisonMilton

Pholodes sinistraria (Sinister or Frilled Bark Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by AlisonMilton

Thalerotricha mylicella (Wingia Group) at Aranda, ACT - Yesterday by KMcCue

Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Kingsdale, NSW - Yesterday by trevorpreston

Heliothinae (subfamily) (Budworm) by clarehoneydove

Plutella xylostella (Diamondback Moth) at Downer, ACT - Yesterday by RobertD

Stangeia xerodes (A plume moth) at Downer, ACT - Yesterday by RobertD

Hippotion scrofa (Coprosma Hawk Moth) at Yass, NSW - 1 Oct 2025 by SustainableSeg

Hypoperigea tonsa (A Noctuid moth (Acronictinae) at Symonston, ACT - Yesterday by rawshorty

Agrotis munda (Brown Cutworm) at Symonston, ACT - Yesterday by rawshorty

Hippotion scrofa (Coprosma Hawk Moth) at Symonston, ACT - Yesterday by rawshorty

Porela delineata (Lined Porela) at Symonston, ACT - Yesterday by rawshorty

Merocroca automima (Chezala group) at Aranda, ACT - Yesterday by KMcCue

Heliothinae (subfamily) (Budworm) at Crowther, NSW - 4 Oct 2025 by Frecko

Epitymbia alaudana (Epitymbia alaudana) at O'Connor, ACT - 19 Dec 2020 by ibaird

Mormoscopa phricozona at O'Connor, ACT - 19 Dec 2020 by ibaird

Hippotion scrofa (Coprosma Hawk Moth) at Berry, NSW - 6 Oct 2025 by Username279

Pollanisus (genus) (A Forester Moth) at Denman Prospect, ACT - 8 Oct 2025 by ChrisChapman

Utetheisa (genus) at Russell, ACT - 8 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Hypertrophidae (family) (Unidentified Twig Moth) at Russell, ACT - 8 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Barea codrella (A concealer moth) at Russell, ACT - 8 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Praxis marmarinopa (owlet moth) by DPRees125

Nyctemera amicus (Senecio Moth, Magpie Moth, Cineraria Moth) at Braidwood, NSW - 8 Oct 2025 by MatthewFrawley

Philobota dichotoma (A Concealer moth (Philobota group) at Forde, ACT - 8 Oct 2025 by DPRees125

Opodiphthera eucalypti (Emperor Gum Moth) at Crowther, NSW - 4 Oct 2025 by Frecko

Gastrinodes argoplaca (Cryptic Bark Moth) at Hall, ACT - 8 Oct 2025 by Anna123

Agrotis munda (Brown Cutworm) at Hall, ACT - 8 Oct 2025 by Anna123

Subfurcatana subfurcatana (A Tortricid moth) by Span102

Agrius convolvuli (Convolvulus Hawk Moth) at Upper Lansdowne, NSW - 8 Oct 2025 by Purschy

Leistomorpha brontoscopa (A concealer moth) at Higgins, ACT - 8 Oct 2025 by MichaelWenke

Utetheisa (genus) (A tiger moth) at Overland Corner, SA - 30 Sep 2025 by AlisonMilton

Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Franklin, ACT - 7 Oct 2025 by chriselidie

Epyaxa subidaria (Subidaria Moth) at Lyneham, ACT - 8 Oct 2025 by trevorpreston

Hyalarcta huebneri (Leafy Case Moth) at Jerrabomberra, NSW - 7 Oct 2025 by DianneClarke

Sceliodes cordalis (Eggfruit Caterpillar, Poroporo Fruit Borer) at Bogan Gate, NSW - 7 Oct 2025 by Wolfdogg

Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth, Common Cutworm) at Ainslie, ACT - 28 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Dysbatus (genus) (A Line Geometrid.) at Ainslie, ACT - 29 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Philobota lysizona (A concealer moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 28 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Tachystola hemisema (Chezela Group) at Barton, ACT - 7 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Lithosiini (IMMATURE) (A Footman or Lichen moth (Lithosiini)) at Barton, ACT - 7 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Doratifera (genus) (Cup Moth) at Barton, ACT - 7 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Isochorista panaeolana (A Tortricid moth) at Russell, ACT - 7 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Isochorista encotodes (A Tortricid moth (Archipini) at Russell, ACT - 7 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Epiphyas postvittana (Light Brown Apple Moth) at Russell, ACT - 7 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Utetheisa pulchelloides (Heliotrope Moth) at O'Malley, ACT - 7 Oct 2025 by Mike

Antasia flavicapitata (Yellow-headed Heath Moth (Oenochrominae)) by clarehoneydove

Leistomorpha brontoscopa (A concealer moth) at Bungendore, NSW - 7 Oct 2025 by clarehoneydove

Entometa (genus) (A Lappet or Snout moth (Lasiocampidae)) at Mongarlowe, NSW - 7 Oct 2025 by Dron

Dasygaster padockina (Tasmanian Cutworm) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Agrotis munda (Brown Cutworm) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Chrysodeixis argentifera (Tobacco Looper) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Nyctemera amicus (Senecio Moth, Magpie Moth, Cineraria Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Arhodia lasiocamparia (Pink Arhodia (Oenochrominae)) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Psilosticha absorpta (Fine-waved Bark Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Chloroclystis catastreptes (Green and Brown Carpet) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Pantydia sparsa (Noctuid Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Uresiphita ornithopteralis (Tree Lucerne Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Chezala privatella (A Concealer moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Philobota stella (A concealer moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Sep 2025 by jb2602

Uresiphita ornithopteralis (Tree Lucerne Moth) at Murrumbateman, NSW - 6 Oct 2025 by amiessmacro

Heliocosma (genus - immature) at Pialligo, ACT - 26 Oct 2024 by MichaelBedingfield

Platyptilia celidotus (Plume Moth) at Kowen, ACT - 26 Oct 2024 by MichaelBedingfield

Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Macgregor, ACT - 6 Oct 2025 by LD12

Noctuidae (family) (A cutworm or owlet moth) at Uriarra Village, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Eliplam07

Uraba lugens (Gumleaf Skeletonizer) at Watson, ACT - 30 Sep 2025 by Lisa.Jok

Apina callisto (Pasture Day Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 23 Sep 2025 by Lisa.Jok

Clania lewinii & similar Casemoths (Parallel stick Case Moths) at Hackett, ACT - 23 Sep 2025 by Lisa.Jok

Agrotis munda (Brown Cutworm) at Watson, ACT - 6 Oct 2025 by Lisa.Jok

Ardiosteres moretonella at Watson, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Lisa.Jok

Philobota arabella (Concealer moth) at Forde, ACT - 6 Oct 2025 by chriselidie

Thema macroscia (A concealer moth) at Denman Prospect, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by patrickcox

Capua intractana (A Tortricid moth) by DPRees125

Philobota (genus) at Lyons, ACT - 6 Oct 2025 by ran452

Lipogya eutheta (Grey Bark Moth) by DPRees125

Crocidosema plebejana (Cotton Tipworm Moth) by DPRees125

Diatenes igneipicta (an Erebidae Moth) by DPRees125

Leistarcha scitissimella by DPRees125

Uresiphita ornithopteralis (Tree Lucerne Moth) at Harrison, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by DPRees125

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Discussion

WendyEM wrote:

Yesterday

something like Crypsiphona ocultaria

Geometrinae (subfamily)

ibaird wrote:

Yesterday

Remarkable in apparently lacking red marks along the trailing edge of the forewing altogether.

Utetheisa (genus)

ibaird wrote:

Yesterday

Remarkable in apparently lacking red marks along the trailing edge of the forewing altogether.

Utetheisa (genus)

AlisonMilton wrote:

Yesterday

I did think this looked like a very small version of this caterpillar. An early instar perhaps? I have it in protective custody so hopefully it will grow and pupate.

Chelepteryx collesi

DianneClarke wrote:

Yesterday

Yes, female

Phrissogonus laticostata

Significant sightings

Species Richness Score (SRS)

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