Epipyropidae (Family), Zygaenoidea (Superfamily)
A Plathopper Parasite Moth at Cook, ACT
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| Epipyropidae (Family), Zygaenoidea (Superfamily) | WendyEM | 8 Jul 2026 | |
| Epipyropidae (Family), Zygaenoidea (Superfamily) | ibaird | 8 Jul 2026 | |
| Epipyropidae (Family) | WendyEM | 29 Jun 2026 | |
| Unverified | CathB | 7 Feb 2026 |
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6 comments
3 Mar 2026
I don't think it is Pataeta carbo as that sp has an angle 1/2way along the termen and a scalloped edge rather than the long sweeping curve above moth shows. Also in none of the 1st page of iNat research grade images of this moth (96 records) does it rest with its wings covering the abdomen, but rather resting beside the abdomen.
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&preferred_place_id=6744&quality_grade=research&taxon_id=210483
I have done A LOT of looking for an alternative and not found a convincing one so far however.
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&preferred_place_id=6744&quality_grade=research&taxon_id=210483
I have done A LOT of looking for an alternative and not found a convincing one so far however.
3 Mar 2026
Yes. it was simply my best suggestion based apparently on a squared off abdomen and a transverse white band visible in the 5th image - although I suspect that 5th image is a view from the underside. Yes, I have been looking without success. P. carbo does not have forewings with trailing margins with a feathery fringe.
3 Mar 2026
It is actually fairly small, < 12mm. It has very short pectinate antenna. I wonder if it is a Psychid? Shape looks quite like Trigonocyttara clandestina although I think that sp. is much bigger than this moth. I am still looking.
29 Jun 2026
Epipyropidae
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?taxon_id=176439
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/epip/epip-moths.html
https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/3f0d2b07-771d-4f60-a9b1-4219212ffa83#gallery
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?taxon_id=176439
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/epip/epip-moths.html
https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/3f0d2b07-771d-4f60-a9b1-4219212ffa83#gallery
4 Jul 2026
That looks like a good match, and an interesting one. Thanks for persisting with it Wendy.
8 Jul 2026
I suggest this taxon is better placed on NatureMapr in the grouping 'Other Moths' given it is classified in the Superfamily Zygaenoidea not in Noctuoidea.
Location information
- Places Cook, ACT
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- CathB Recorded by
- 5mm to 12mm Animal size
Collections
- CathB NatureMapr Canberra & Southern Tablelands Other moths Moths (Lepidoptera) Insects Epipyropidae (Family), Zygaenoidea (Superfamily)
Species information
- Epipyropidae (Family), Zygaenoidea (Superfamily) Scientific name
- A Plathopper Parasite Moth Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- External link More information
Record quality
Quality score
4 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Additional attributes
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location
- Description