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

ibaird wrote:

14 Jan 2026

Yes, well spotted WendyEM.
A new species sighting for NatureMapr and te Canberra and the Southern Tablelands region.

Scieropepla typhicola

ibaird wrote:

14 Jan 2026

I do not think the hindwing patern matches E. fractaria,
.

Ectropis excursaria

abread111 wrote:

14 Jan 2026

I suspect that the wingless female is to the right of the egg mass in pictures 2 and 3 - what a strange thing!

Anestia (genus)

inquisitive wrote:

14 Jan 2026

Interesting! Are there such things as terrestial caddisfly larvae? I understood they were all aquatic. Similar creatures are illustrated here https://www.flickr.com/photos/dhobern/albums/72157609580850398/ in addition to the other link I sent. Update: You suggest caddisfly larvae, but have listed them as "Lepidoptera immature". The terrestrial caddisfly larvae which I can find is a reference to a single species from the Family Calocidae, Caloca seneva, restricted to Tasmania and found in damp environments.

Lepidoptera unclassified IMMATURE

WendyEM wrote:

14 Jan 2026

Yes there are really interesting. I have often wondered what they are. I have also wonder if they could even be from another group - e.g. terrestrial caddisfly larva?? I don't think we can assume they are Psychidae = case moths. As DonHE would say - should raise them to find out.

Lepidoptera unclassified IMMATURE