Moths (Lepidoptera)

Add a sighting Subscribe View significant View unverified

Useful references:

CSIRO's Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) - Australian Moths Online
Don Herbison-Evans web pages:
- Moths of Australia
- Australian caterpillars and their butterflies and moths

In the notes provided about individual species, semi-technical terms are sometimes used. They are briely explained below.

Labial palpi. These are paired appendages extending from the lower part of the head, on either side of the proboscis. They provide important information about the family of the moth.

Parts of a moth’s wing:

Costa: The leading edge of the wing

Inner margin: The trailing edge of the wing

Termen: The outer margin of the wing, connecting the costa to the inner margin

Apex: The leading tip of the wing, where the costa and termen meet

Tornus: The trailing corner of the wing, where the termen and inner margin meet

Cilia. Long hairy scales along an edge of the wing

Moths (Lepidoptera)

Anthelid moths (Anthelidae)

Case moths (Psychidae)

Concealer moths (Oecophoridae)

Curved-horn moths (all Gelechioidea except Oecophoridae)

Emperor moths (Saturniidae)

Geometer moths (Geometridae)

Hawk moths (Sphingidae)

Noctuoid moths (except Arctiinae)

Pyralid or Snout Moths (Pyralidae & Crambidae)

Sun moths (Castniidae)

Swift and Ghost moths (Hepialidae)

Tiger moths (Arctiinae)

Tortricid moths (Tortricidae)

Wood moths (Cossidae)

Other moths

Latest sightings

Pollanisus (genus) (A Forester Moth) by arjay

Hestiochora erythrota (A Forester or Burnet moth (Zygaenidae)) by arjay

Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth) by arjay

Unverified Case moth (Psychidae) by arjay

Thema brevivitella (A Concealer moth (Chezala Group)) at Downer, ACT - Today by RobertD

Philobota impletella Group (A concealer moth) at Wyanbene, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by Harrisi

Epicoma (genus) (Unidentified Prominent moth) at Aranda, ACT - Yesterday by KMcCue

Comocrus behri (Mistletoe Day Moth) at Kambah, ACT - Yesterday by HelenCross

Phelotis cognata (Long-fringed Bark Moth) at Bonython, ACT - Yesterday by GG

Hypobapta percomptaria at Goulburn, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by glbn1

Unverified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Goulburn, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by glbn1

Ptyoptila matutinella (Wingia Group) at Goulburn, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by glbn1

Euproctis limbalis (Bordered Browntail Moth) at Cook, ACT - Yesterday by Roger

Asthenoptycha sp. A (ANIC) (A Tortricid moth (Tortricinae) at Paddys River, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by TimL

Scioglyptis chionomera (Grey Patch Bark Moth) at Paddys River, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by TimL

Geometridae (family) IMMATURE at Holt, ACT - 7 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

$Ectropis fractaria (Ringed Bark Moth) at Greenleigh, NSW - 7 Dec 2025 by LyndalT$

Garrha costimacula at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Hyalarcta nigrescens (Ribbed Case Moth) at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Conoeca guildingi (A case moth) at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Utetheisa (genus) (A tiger moth) at Queanbeyan West, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by Paul4K

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Kingston, ACT - 6 Dec 2025 by JimL

Amata (genus) at Howlong, NSW - 6 Dec 2025 by Belmal

Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Jerrabomberra, NSW - 2 Dec 2025 by DianneClarke

Chlorocoma vertumnaria (Red-fringed Emerald) at Denman Prospect, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by Harrisi

Crypsiphona ocultaria (Red-lined Looper Moth) at Bruce, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Philobota productella at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Pedois epinephela (A Gelechioid moth (Depressariidae) at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Conoeca or Lepidoscia (genera) IMMATURE (Unidentified Cone Case Moth larva, pupa, or case) at Bruce, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Crocanthes glycina (Lecithoceridae) at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by CathB

Helicoverpa punctigera (Native Budworm) at Higgins, ACT - 5 Dec 2025 by MichaelWenke

Helicoverpa punctigera (Native Budworm) at Conder, ACT - 17 Oct 2025 by MichaelBedingfield

Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth, Common Cutworm) at Holder, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by Miranda

Hellula hydralis (Cabbage Centre Moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Clania ignobilis (Faggot Case Moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Eulechria electrodes (Yellow Eulechria Moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Hypobapta (genus) (A Geometer moth) at O'Connor, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Philobota (genus) (Unidentified Philobota genus moths) at Mitchell, ACT - 1 Dec 2025 by ConBoekel

Helicoverpa (genus) (A bollworm) at Latham, ACT - 26 Sep 2025 by rjwhite

Agrotis munda (Brown Cutworm) at Latham, ACT - 26 Sep 2025 by rjwhite

Pholodes sinistraria (Sinister or Frilled Bark Moth) at Latham, ACT - 26 Sep 2025 by rjwhite

Melanodes anthracitaria (Black Geometrid) at Latham, ACT - 15 Oct 2025 by rjwhite

Anestia (genus) (A tiger moth) at Aspendale Gardens, VIC - 4 Dec 2025 by TanyaB

Alucita phricodes (A Many-plumed Moth) at Acton, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by TimL

Macrobathra desmotoma ( A Cosmet moth) at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Isomoralla pyrrhoptera (A concealer moth) at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Philobota philostaura at Aranda, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth) at Bruce, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by KMcCue

Pollanisus (genus) (A Forester Moth) at Bungendore, NSW - 3 Dec 2025 by SteveBorkowskis

Endoxyla cinereas (Giant Wood Moth) at Pappinbarra, NSW - 16 Nov 2025 by jonvanbeest

Chelepteryx collesi (White-stemmed Gum Moth) at Weston, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by MttDns

Chlenias belophora (Centreline Crest-moth) by LisaH

Eutrichopidia latinus (Yellow-banded Day-moth) by LisaH

Ardices canescens (Dark-spotted Tiger Moth) at Waramanga, ACT - 16 Jan 2024 by AndyRoo

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Waramanga, ACT - 16 Jan 2025 by AndyRoo

Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth, Common Cutworm) at Waramanga, ACT - 30 Oct 2025 by AndyRoo

Paramsacta marginata (Donovan's Tiger Moth) at Bredbo, NSW - 30 Oct 2025 by AndyRoo

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Waramanga, ACT - 20 Oct 2025 by AndyRoo

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Moruya, NSW - 16 Nov 2025 by LisaH

Pernattia pusilla (She-Oak Moth) by LisaH

Epicoma contristis (Yellow-spotted Epicoma Moth) by LisaH

Asura lydia (Lydia Lichen Moth) at Moruya, NSW - 15 Nov 2025 by LisaH

Platagarista macleayi (Macleay's Day-Moth) by LisaH

Agrotis porphyricollis (Variable Cutworm) by LisaH

Glyphipterix chrysoplanetis (A Sedge Moth) at Lyons, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ran452

Halone coryphoea (Eastern Halone moth) at Lyons, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by ran452

Trichiocercus sparshalli (Sparshall's Moth) at Olney, NSW - 31 Dec 2020 by Minty

Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Aranda, ACT - 21 Nov 2025 by CathB

Trichiocercus sparshalli (Sparshall's Moth) at Shepparton, VIC - 1 Dec 2025 by Typarker

Achyra affinitalis (Cotton Web Spinner, Pyraustinae) by ChrisSutevski

Agrotis munda (Brown Cutworm) at Pialligo, ACT - 22 Nov 2025 by FeralGhostbat

Glyphipterix meteora (A Sedge Moth) at Aranda, ACT - 10 Nov 2025 by CathB

Mythimna (Pseudaletia) convecta (Common Armyworm) at Conder, ACT - 17 Oct 2025 by MichaelBedingfield

Lomera xanthochrysa (Lateral case moth) by ChrisSutevski

Synanthedon tipuliformis (Currant Clear Wing, Currant Borer Moth) by ChrisSutevski

Crypsiphona ocultaria (Red-lined Looper Moth) at Hackett, ACT - 30 Nov 2025 by waltraud

Halone coryphoea (Eastern Halone moth) at Parkes, ACT - 25 Nov 2025 by TimL

Arrade destituta (Cryptic Snout Moth) at Parkes, ACT - 25 Nov 2025 by TimL

Unverified Curved-horn moth (all Gelechioidea except Oecophoridae) at Acton, ACT - 30 Nov 2025 by TimL

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Parkes, ACT - 25 Nov 2025 by TimL

Gelechioidea (superfamily) at Hawker, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by AlisonMilton

Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Hawker, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by AlisonMilton

Macrobathra desmotoma ( A Cosmet moth) at Hawker, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by AlisonMilton

Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Hawker, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by AlisonMilton

Geometridae (family) IMMATURE at Hawker, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by AlisonMilton

Tortricopsis euryphanella (A Concealer moth (Wingia group)) at Hawker, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by AlisonMilton

Aenetus eximia (Forest Splendid Ghost Moth) at Kioloa, NSW - 21 Nov 2025 by AnnaR

Pollanisus (genus) (A Forester Moth) at Yarralumla, ACT - 22 Nov 2025 by Jennybach

Agriophara (genus) (A Flat-bodied moth (Stenomatinae, Depressariidae)) at Hawker, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by AlisonMilton

Doratifera (genus) (Cup Moth) at Hawker, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by AlisonMilton

Taxeotis intextata (Looper Moth, Grey Taxeotis) at Gungahlin, ACT - 28 Nov 2025 by chriselidie

Moderators

MichaelMulvaney

donhe

ibaird

KimPullen

SuziBond

HarveyPerkins

KimberiRP

GlennCocking

Amata

DianneClarke

WendyEM

DiBickers

mcosgrove

Bron

JulieMorgan

kasiaaus

canberrabutterflies

Discussion

WendyEM wrote:

1 min ago

No it is a Xyloryctidae. They bore in various trees. At night they sneak out and cut twigs/leaves for food which they leave stick ing out their 'door' and consume in safety in their bore hole. Yes it is frass too.

Xyloryctidae (family)

DianneClarke wrote:

3 min ago

Of course!

Heliomystis electrica

WendyEM wrote:

4 min ago

Heliomystis electrica
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&quality_grade=research&taxon_id=355257

Heliomystis electrica

DianneClarke wrote:

6 min ago

Could it be frass from some type of borer?