Hookwing Footman Termessa discrepans (Walker, 1865)
Scientific name: Termessa discrepans
Alternative name/s:
Lichen moth
Lichen moth
Click to enlarge image
Lichen moth, Termessa discrepans (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae).
Image: David Britton
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Termessa
- Species
- discrepans
- Subfamily
- Lithosiinae
- Family
- Arctiidae
- Super Family
- Noctuoidea
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Life history mode
- terrestrial, volant
One of two species of Termessa with falcate (hooked) wingtips, T. discrepans is much more common in collections than T. conographa.
Identification
The shape of the forewing is distinctive, with a falcate (hooked) wing tip. The broad black fascia in the forewing of T. discrepans reach the front margin of the wing (cf. T. conographa)
Habitat
Forested areas including open woodland.
Distribution
Coastal NSW and SE Queensland, Bairnsdale, Gembrook, Red Hill (VIC, Peter Marriott)
This map shows species occurrence observations from data recorded in the Atlas of Living Australia.
Seasonality
November to February.
Feeding and diet
Larvae probably feed on lichens.
