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

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Tylanthes
    Species
    ptochias
    Subfamily
    Lithosiinae
    Family
    Arctiidae
    Super Family
    Noctuoidea
    Order
    Lepidotera
    Class
    Insecta
    Phylum
    Arthropoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia

Introduction

The females of this distinctive species are not known. It also occurs in Papua New Guinea.

Identification

Forewings are much larger than the hindwings, and have a pronounced ring-like marking in the forewing cell which may have a glandular function. The male genitalia are large in proportion to the abdomen, and are covered in long scales.

Distribution

McIlwraith Ranges and Claudie River (QLD)

Feeding and diet

Larvae probably feed on lichens