Lichen moth Click to enlarge image
Lichen moth (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae) Image: David Britton
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Anestia
    Species
    semiochrea
    Subfamily
    Lithosiinae
    Family
    Arctiidae
    Super Family
    Noctuoidea
    Order
    Lepidoptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Phylum
    Arthropoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
Lichen moth
Lichen moth (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae) - Clouded Footman Anestia ombrophanes Meyrick, 1886 Image: David Britton
© Australian Museum

Introduction

The wings of females in this species are completely absent, and they resemble small grub like insects. Larvae and pupae of this species can be commonly found under loose bark of eucalypts.

Identification

Males have strongly bipectinate antennae. Males of this species can be separated from A. ombrophanes by the darker forewings and rich orange hindwings.

Distribution



Feeding and diet

Larvae feed on lichens on trees