Doubleday's Footman
Scientific name: Castulo doubledayi
Alternative name/s:
Lichen moth
Lichen moth
Similar species:
None
None
Click to enlarge image
Lichen moth (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae)
Image: David Britton
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Castulo
- Species
- doubledayi
- Subfamily
- Lithosiinae
- Family
- Arctiidae
- Super Family
- Noctuoidea
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
Introduction
This larger species with contrasting black forewings and bright orange and black hindwings is found in cooler montane regions of SE and SW Australia.
Identification
The forewings are almost entirely black except for a short strip of orange along the base of the costa, and a small orange spot near the base. Pale and worn specimens might be confused with some Termessa species, but males have large antennal pectinations which are absent in Termessa. Castulo plagiata has extensive orange markings in the forewing.
Habitat
Montane eucalypt forests
Distribution
From TAS, south SA, north to Ebor (NSW), also southeast WA
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Seasonality
These moths fly from mid to late autumn (March to May)
Feeding and diet
larvae probably feed on lichens
