Moth (Lepidoptera) field guide

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

Halone sejuncta (Variable Halone)

Hecatesia fenestrata (Common Whistling Moth)

Male

Female

Underside wings

Hednota species near grammellus (Pyralid or snout moth)

Helicoverpa (genus) (A bollworm)

Helicoverpa armigera (Cotton bollworm, Corn earworm)

Helicoverpa punctigera (Native Budworm)

Heliomystis electrica (Electric Moth)

Heliothela (genus) (A Pyraloid moth (Heliotheliinae subf.))

Hellinsia balanotes (Pterophorinae)

Hemibela (genus) (A Concealer moth)

Hippotion celerio (Vine Hawk Moth)

Hippotion scrofa (Coprosma Hawk Moth)

Hypobapta (genus) (A Geometer moth)

Hypobapta tachyhalotaria (Varied Grey)

Male underside

Male

Female

Hypodoxa muscosaria (Textured Emerald)

Hypoperigea tonsa (A noctuid moth)

Idaea halmaea (Two-spotted Wave)

Ischnurges illustralis (A Crambid moth)

Labdia deliciosella (A Cosmet moth)

Lepidoptera unclassified IMMATURE (caterpillar or pupa or cocoon)

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