Moth (Lepidoptera) field guide

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

Mictodoca toxeuta (Long-nosed Geometrid)

Mimaglossa nauplialis (Mimaglossa nauplialis)

ALA Image

Mimaglossa nauplialis and habitalis

Mimaglossa sp (Epipaschiinae)

Mimobrachyoma optalea (Mimobrachyoma optalea)

Mimodoxa metallica (A Cosmet moth (Cosmopteriginae))

Mimoscopa ochetaula (A Tineid moth (Myrmecozelinae))

Miscera homotona (A Little Bear moth (family Brachodidae))

Mixocera latilineata (Side-lined Emerald)

Mnesampela comarcha (Dry-leaf Gum Moth)

Mnesampela heliochrysa (Golden-winged Gum Moth)

Mnesampela lenaea (Rippled Gum Moth)

Mnesampela privata (Autumn Gum Moth)

Underside

Larvae

Mnesiloba eupitheciata (Montane Carpet)

Mochlotona phasmatias (Draped Geometrid)

Mocis alterna (Bean Looper)

Moerarchis australasiella

Moerarchis inconcisella (A tineid moth)

Monoctenia falernaria (Patched Leaf Moth)

Male

Male underside

Monoctenia smerintharia (Dark Leaf Moth)

Male

Female

Underside female

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