List of moths of Australia (Hepialidae) facts for kids
Australian Hepialidae moths are a fascinating group of insects found across Australia. These moths belong to the family Hepialidae, often called "ghost moths" or "swift moths" because of how quickly they fly. This article lists the different kinds of Hepialidae moths that live in Australia. It's part of a bigger list of all the moths found in Australia.
Contents
What are Hepialidae Moths?
Hepialidae moths are a special type of moth known for their unique life cycle. Unlike many other moths, the adult Hepialidae moths usually don't have working mouths. This means they can't eat or drink! They live only for a short time, just long enough to find a mate and lay eggs. Their energy comes from the food they ate when they were caterpillars.
Appearance and Size
These moths come in many sizes, from small ones with wingspans of just a few centimeters to very large ones. Some of the biggest moths in Australia belong to this family. They often have dull colors like brown, grey, or white, which helps them blend in with their surroundings. Some species have interesting patterns or metallic scales on their wings.
Life Cycle of Hepialidae Moths
The life cycle of Hepialidae moths is quite interesting. It starts with an egg, which hatches into a larva, or caterpillar.
Larval Stage
The caterpillars of Hepialidae moths are often called "witchetty grubs" in Australia, especially the larger ones. These grubs live underground or inside the stems and roots of plants and trees. They dig tunnels and feed on the plant material. This stage can last for a long time, sometimes several years, as the caterpillar grows and stores up energy. They are very important for breaking down plant matter in their habitats.
Adult Stage and Reproduction
Once the caterpillar is fully grown, it turns into a pupa, and then finally emerges as an adult moth. As mentioned, adult Hepialidae moths have a very short life. Their main goal is to reproduce. Males often fly around at dusk or night, trying to attract females. Some species have special scent glands to release chemicals that attract mates. After mating, the female lays her eggs, usually scattering them over the ground or near host plants.
Where Australian Hepialidae Moths Live
Hepialidae moths are found all over Australia, from coastal areas to forests and even some drier regions. Their habitat depends on the specific plants their caterpillars feed on. Because their caterpillars live hidden underground or inside plants, you might not often see the caterpillars themselves, but you might spot the adult moths flying around, especially during warmer months.
Types of Hepialidae Moths in Australia
Australia is home to many different species of Hepialidae moths. Here is a list of some of the known species found here. Scientists continue to study these moths to learn more about them and their role in Australia's ecosystems.
- Abantiades albofasciatus (Swinhoe, 1892)
- Abantiades aphenges (Turner, 1904)
- Abantiades aurilegulus Tindale, 1932
- Abantiades barcas (Pfitzner, 1914)
- Abantiades fulvomarginatus Tindale, 1932
- Abantiades hyalinatus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1853)
- Abantiades hydrographus (R. Felder, 1874)
- Abantiades labyrinthicus (Donovan, 1805)
- Abantiades latipennis Tindale, 1932
- Abantiades leucochiton (Pfitzner, 1914)
- Abantiades magnificus (T.P. Lucas, 1898)
- Abantiades marcidus Tindale, 1932
- Abantiades ocellatus Tindale, 1932
- Abantiades sericatus Tindale, 1932
- Aenetus astathes (Turner, 1915)
- Aenetus blackburnii (Lower, 1892)
- Aenetus dulcis (Swinhoe, 1892)
- Aenetus eximia (Scott, 1869)
- Aenetus lewinii (Walker, 1856)
- Aenetus ligniveren (Lewin, 1805)
- Aenetus mirabilis Rothschild, 1894
- Aenetus montanus Tindale, 1953
- Aenetus ombraloma (Lower, 1902)
- Aenetus ramsayi (Scott, 1869)
- Aenetus scotti (Scott, 1869)
- Aenetus scripta (Scott, 1869)
- Aenetus splendens (Scott, 1864)
- Aenetus tegulatus (Pagenstecher, 1888)
- Aenetus tephroptilus (Turner, 1915)
- Bordaia furva Tindale, 1932
- Bordaia karnka Tindale, 1941
- Bordaia moesta Tindale, 1932
- Bordaia paradoxa Tindale, 1932
- Bordaia pica Tindale, 1932
- Elhamma australasiae (Walker, 1856)
- Fraus basicornis Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus basidispina Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus bilineata Walker, 1865
- Fraus biloba Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus crocea (T.P. Lucas, 1891)
- Fraus distispina Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus furcata Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus fusca (T.P. Lucas, 1891)
- Fraus griseomaculata Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus latristria Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus linogyna Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus marginispina Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus mediaspina Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus megacornis Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus minima Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus nanus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1853)
- Fraus orientalis Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus pelagia (Turner, 1927)
- Fraus pilosa Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus polyspila (Meyrick, 1890)
- Fraus pteromela (Lower, 1892)
- Fraus quadrangula Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus serrata Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Fraus simulans Walker, 1856
- Fraus tedi Nielsen & Kristensen, 1989
- Jeana delicatula Tindale, 1935
- Jeana robiginosa Turner, 1939
- Oncopera alboguttata Tindale, 1933
- Oncopera alpina Tindale, 1933
- Oncopera brachyphylla Turner, 1925
- Oncopera brunneata Tindale, 1933
- Oncopera epargyra Turner, 1925
- Oncopera fasciculatus (Walker, 1869)
- Oncopera intricata Walker, 1856
- Oncopera intricoides Tindale, 1933
- Oncopera mitocera Turner, 1911
- Oncopera parva Tindale, 1933
- Oncopera rufobrunnea Tindale, 1933
- Oncopera tindalei Common, 1966
- Oxycanus aedesima (Turner, 1929)
- Oxycanus antipoda (Herrich-Schäffer, 1853)
- Oxycanus armatus Tindale, 1955
- Oxycanus aurifex Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus australis Walker, 1856
- Oxycanus ballux Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus barnardi Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus beltista (Turner, 1926)
- Oxycanus buluwandji Tindale, 1964
- Oxycanus byrsa (Pfitzner, 1933)
- Oxycanus carus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus determinata (Walker, 1856)
- Oxycanus dirempta (Walker, 1865)
- Oxycanus gelidus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus glauerti Tindale, 1955
- Oxycanus goldfinchi Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus goodingi Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus hamatus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus herdus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus hildae Tindale, 1964
- Oxycanus incanus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus janeus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus kochi Tindale, 1955
- Oxycanus loesus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus lyelli Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus maculosus (R. Felder, 1874)
- Oxycanus naias Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus niphadias (Meyrick, 1890)
- Oxycanus nuptialis Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus occidentalis Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus oreades E.D. Edwards & K. Green, 2011
- Oxycanus oressigenes E.D. Edwards & K. Green, 2011
- Oxycanus perditus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus poeticus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus promiscuus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus rosaceus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus rufescens Walker, 1856
- Oxycanus silvanus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus sirpus Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus spadix Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus sphragidias (Meyrick, 1890)
- Oxycanus stellans Tindale, 1935
- Oxycanus subvaria (Walker, 1856)
- Oxycanus waterhousei Tindale, 1935
- Trictena argyrosticha Turner, 1929
- Trictena atripalpis (Walker, 1856)
- Trictena barnardi Tindale, 1941
- Zelotypia stacyi Scott, 1869
