Lichen Moths - Subfamily Lithosiinae
This page contains pictures and information about Lichen Moths of subfamily Lithosiinae that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Lichen Moth caterpillars usually have less dense hair than the caterpillars in Arctiinae. They feed on lichens, algae or moss.
- Lichen Moth adults are small to medium size, usually with slender body and narrow wings. They do not have the segmental pattern on adbomen. When rest, some of those moths wrap its forewings around its abdomen.
- Tiger Lichen Moth
- Asura lydia, body length 20mm
- Species in this subfamily LITHOSIINAE are commonly called Lichen Moth. The caterpillars have dense hair, may be found under log or on ground. They feed on litter or lichens. More pictures and information please visit this page.
- Little White Lichen Moth
- Eilema plana, body length 10mm
- This small white moth is common in Toohey Forest during early winter. They rested on grass or stem near the ground. When disturbed they flied and rested on another spot a few meter away.
- Bird-dropping Lichen Moth
- Philenora aspectalella, body length 15mm
- This moth mimics bird-dropping in dirty black and white colours. During the day it was usually found resting on leaf. We have more information and pictures in this page.
- Lichen Moth Caterpillar, Lichen-eating Caterpillar
- Manulea replana, length 30mm
- Found on a decaying Gum tree trunk during the day. It active at night and feed on Lichens. The caterpillar is brown in colour with dense hairs. It pupates in a cocoon under sheltered crevice. The moth has wingspan 30mm, brown in colour with a yellow strip along forewings margin.
- Reference:
- 1. Manulea replana - Australian Caterpillars by Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley, 2007.
- Reference:
- 1. Lichen Moths - Australian Museum online, 2003.
- 2. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p910.
- 3. ARCTIIDAE subfamily LITHOSIINAE - Some Australian Moths from South-East Queensland, Ian McMillan, 2006
