List of moths of Australia (Limacodidae) facts for kids

Have you ever seen a moth that looks a bit like a slug, or a caterpillar that looks like a jelly bean? You might have seen a member of the Limacodidae family! These are a special group of moths, often called slug moths or cup moths, found all around the world, including in Australia.

This page is a list of the different kinds of Limacodidae moths that live in Australia. It helps us keep track of all the amazing species that are part of Australia's rich insect life.

What Are Limacodidae Moths?

Limacodidae is a scientific family of moths. Think of a family as a big group of relatives who share similar features. These moths are known for their unique caterpillars, which don't have the usual prolegs (small, fleshy legs) that most caterpillars have. Instead, they move by gliding, almost like slugs, which is how they got their nickname!

Amazing Caterpillars

The caterpillars of Limacodidae moths are truly fascinating. They are often brightly colored and can look very different from typical caterpillars. Some are smooth and round, like a jelly bean, while others have spiky bumps. These spikes can sometimes deliver a sting if touched, so it's best to admire them without touching! They use these unique looks and sometimes their stinging ability to protect themselves from predators like birds.

Adult Moths

The adult Limacodidae moths are usually small to medium-sized. They often have furry bodies and wings that are held flat against their bodies when they are resting. Their colors can range from dull browns and greens, helping them blend in with tree bark, to more vibrant patterns. Many of them are active at night, flying around and looking for mates.

Where Do They Live?

Limacodidae moths are found in many parts of the world, especially in warmer, tropical areas. In Australia, you can find them in various habitats, from forests to woodlands, wherever their favorite food plants grow. Their caterpillars feed on the leaves of many different trees and shrubs.

Australian Limacodidae Species

Here is a list of some of the Limacodidae moth species that have been found in Australia. Each name includes the scientific name of the moth and the name of the scientist who first described it, along with the year they did so. This helps scientists around the world know exactly which species they are talking about!

• Anaxidia lactea Swinhoe, 1892
• Anaxidia lozogramma (Turner, 1902)
• Anepopsia eugyra Turner, 1926
• Anepopsia tephraea Turner, 1926
• Apodecta monodisca Turner, 1902
• Birthamoides plagioscia Turner, 1902
• Calcarifera ordinata (Butler, 1886)
• Chalcocelis albiguttatus (Snellen, 1879)
• Chalcocelis castanica Turner, 1926
• Comana albibasis Walker, 1862
• Comana collaris Walker, 1865
• Comana corones (Fabricius, 1775)
• Comana cosmocalla Lower, 1902
• Comana euryparoa Turner, 1927
• Comana idiomorpa
• Comana inexpectata Hering, 1931
• Comana miltochyta (Turner, 1932)
• Comana miltogramma Meyrick, 1891
• Comana mjobergi (Aurivillius, 1920)
• Comana monomorpha Turner, 1904
• Comana resplendens (Turner, 1926)
• Comanula uniformis Swinhoe, 1892
• Doratifera casta (Scott, 1864)
• Doratifera corallina Turner, 1902
• Doratifera ochroptila Turner, 1926
• Doratifera oxleyi (Newman, 1855)
• Doratifera pinguis Walker, 1855
• Doratifera quadriguttata (Walker, 1855)
• Doratifera stenora Turner, 1902
• Doratifera vulnerans (Lewin, 1805)
• Ecnomoctena brachyopa Lower, 1897
• Ecnomoctena hemitoma Turner, 1926
• Ecnomoctena sciobaphes Turner, 1941
• Elassoptila microxutha Turner, 1902
• Eloasa acrata (Turner, 1926)
• Eloasa atmodes (Turner, 1902)
• Eloasa bombycoides (Felder, 1874)
• Eloasa brevipennis (Hering, 1931)
• Eloasa calida Walker
• Eloasa callidesma (Lower, 1869)
• Eloasa infrequens (Scott, 1864)
• Eloasa liosarca (Lower, 1902)
• Eloasa luxa Swinhoe, 1902
• Eloasa perixera (Lower, 1902)
• Eloasa sphemosema
• Eloasa symphonistis (Turner, 1936)
• Hedraea quadridens Lucas, 1901
• Hydroclada antigona Meyrick, 1889
• Lamprolepida chrysochroa Felder, 1874
• Limacochara pulchra Bethune-Baker, 1904
• Mambara haplopis Turner, 1906
• Mambara delocrossa Hering, 1931
• Mecytha dnophera (Turner 1931)
• Mecytha fasciata (Walker, 1855)
• Parasoidea albicollaris Hering, 1931
• Parasoidea neurocausta (Turner, 1926)
• Parasoidea paroa (Turner, 1902)
• Praesusica placerodes (Turner, 1926)
• Pseudanapaea denotata (Walker, 1865)
• Pseudanapaea dentifascia Hering, 1931
• Pseudanapaea transvestita Hering, 1931
• Pygmaeomorpha aquila (H. Druce, 1899)
• Pygmaeomorpha modesta Bethune-Baker, 1904
• Pygmaeomorpha ocularis (T.P. Lucas, 1895)
• Scopelodes dinawa Bethune-Baker, 1904
• Scopelodes nitens Bethune-Baker, 1904
• Squamosa barymorpha (Turner, 1942)
• Thosea penthima Turner, 1902
• Thosea threnopis Turner, 1931