Schistophleps obducta (T.P. Lucas, 1894)
Scientific name: Schistophleps obducta
Similar species:
S. albida, Psilopepla mollis, Chamaita barnardi
S. albida, Psilopepla mollis, Chamaita barnardi
Click to enlarge image
Lichen moth (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae)
Image: David Britton
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Schistophleps
- Species
- obducta
- Subfamily
- Lithosiinae
- Family
- Arctiidae
- Super Family
- Noctuoidea
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
Lichen moth (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae)
Image: David Britton
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Introduction
S. obducta belongs to a group of superficially similar moths with almost transparent wings due to thin scaling. This species is the most heavily marked of the group.
Identification
This species has much more brown scaling compared to Schistophleps albida and other similar genera. The two distinct black spots in the forewing cell are absent. The brown markings are extremely variable between individual moths.
Distribution
Coastal regions from far northern NSW to northern Queensland
Feeding and diet
larvae probably feed on lichens
