Schistophleps albida (Walker, 1865)
S. obducta, Psilopepla mollis, Chamaita barnardi
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© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Schistophleps
- Species
- albida
- Subfamily
- Lithosiinae
- Family
- Arctiidae
- Super Family
- Noctuoidea
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
Introduction
These small white moths have only a thin layer of scales so that the wings are almost transparent. They are common at light in regions north of Brisbane in Queensland.
Identification
This species has two distinct black spots on the forewing, with one near the base of the forewing cell, and one at the tip of the cell. The other species in the genus is S. obducta, which has more brown markings on the forewings, and does not have the distinct black spots. Psilopepla mollis is similar, but is smaller, with more transparent wings, and has only one rather indistinct black marking in the forewing cell. Chamaita barnardi is smaller, has fewer scales on the wings, and has only a few indistinct pale brown markings on the forewings. Males of C. barnardi have highly modified antennal scapes (base of the antenna)
Distribution
Coastal Queensland, north from Brisbane
Feeding and diet
Larvae probably feed on lichens
