Termessa orthocrossa Turner, 1922

Scientific name: Termessa orthocrossa
Alternative name/s:
Lichen moth
Similar species:
T. nivosa
  • Author(s)
    David Britton
  • Updated
    03/11/26
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Termessa orthocrossa, Lichen moth Click to enlarge image
Termessa orthocrossa, Lichen moth, (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae), has variable forewing patterns, but is readily recognised by its wing shape and ground colour. Image: David Britton
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Termessa
    Species
    orthocrossa
    Subfamily
    Lithosiinae
    Family
    Arctiidae
    Super Family
    Noctuoidea
    Order
    Lepidoptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Phylum
    Arthropoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Life history mode
    terrestrial, volant

This beautiful species of Termessa shows considerable variation in fore wing patterns, but is easily recognised by the wing shape and ground colour.

Pinned Termessa orthocrossa, Lichen Moth, on a blue background, with its yellow, brown-spotted wings spread to show both pairs.
Termessa orthocrossa, Lichen moth, (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae), has variable forewing patterns, but is readily recognised by its wing shape and ground colour. Image: David Britton
© Australian Museum

Identification

This species has a similar angular fore wing shape and wing pattern to Termessa nivosa, but can be distinguished from T. nivosa by the pale orange-yellow ground colour (white in T. nivosa).

Habitat

Distribution

Toowoomba (type series), Expedition Range (QLD), 28 mile S. Armidale, 8km E of Capertee, 16km N. Coonabarabran, Mt Kaputar (NSW)

This map shows species occurrence observations from data recorded in the Atlas of Living Australia.

Seasonality

October to December.

Feeding and diet

Larvae probably feed on lichens.