Butterflies & Moths (LEPIDOPTERA)
Australia is home to over 400 species of butterflies from five families: Papilionidae Swallowtails and Birdwings, Nymphalidae Nymphs, Danaiids, Satyrs, Fritillaries and Browns, Pieridae Whites and Yellows, Lycaenidae Blues And Coppers, Hesperiidae Darters and Skippers. There are many more moths, about 22,000 species, of which only half have been described so far.
Create More Butterflies Frank Jordan and Helen Schwencke
A Guide to Australian Moths Paul Zborowski & Ted Edwards CSIRO Publishing May 2007
The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia Michael F. Braby CSIRO Publishing 2016
Darters and Skippers (HESPERIIDAE)
About Darters and Skippers Hesperiidae are small to medium-sized butterflies with an average wingspan around 30 mm. They are usually drab brown or orange in colour. Skippers differ in several important ways from other butterflies. Skippers have antennae clubs hooked...
Swallowtails and Birdwings (PAPILIONIDAE)
About Swallowtails and Birdwings Butterflies in the family Papilionidae are commonly called Swallowtails and Birdwings. They are large with average wingspans 60 to 110 mm. Papilionidae are often black with patches of white or green. Clearwing Swallowtail The...
Whites and Yellows (PIERIDAE)
About Whites and Yellows The Pieridae is a large family of butterflies, mainly white or yellow, often with black spots. The larvae (caterpillars) of some of these species feed on brassicas, and are agricultural pests. Common Migrant Common Migrant Catopsilia...
Nymphs, Danaiids, Satyrs, Fritillaries and Browns (NYMPHALIDAE)
About Nymphs, Danaiids, Satyrs, Fritillaries and Browns The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies, typically fairly large, such as the emperor, admirals, tortoiseshells and fritillaries, which have very colourful wings. Underwings are dull. The...
Gossamer winged, Blues and Coppers (LYCAENIDAE )
About Gossamer winged, Blues and Coppers The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide. Traditional divided into the blues Polyommatinae, coppers Lycaeninae, hairstreaks Theclinae and harvesters Miletinae et al. Adults...
Lappet moths (ANTHELIDAE)
About Lappet Moths Anthelidae is a family of Australian lappet moths. The caterpillars are very hairy, and may cause skin irritation. The adults are medium to very large moths. Variable Anthelid The Variable Anthelid Anthela varia is found in the coastal areas of...
Day-flying moths, Tigers, Magpie Moths (ARCTIIDAE)
About Day-flying Moths, Tigers, Magpie Moths Arctiidae is a large and diverse family of moths including tiger moths, footmen, lichen moths and wasp moths. Many species have hairy caterpillars. Magpie Moth This photo show one of the day-flying Magpie Moths possibly...
Crambid Moths (CRAMBIDAE)
About Crambrid Moths Crambid Moths Crambidae are a subfamily of the Pyralidae, a mega-diverse family of moths. Agrioglypta excelsalis Crambid Moth Agrioglypta excelsalis is white with a striking brown pattern, wingspan of about 20 mm. It is found all over...
Gelechiid Moths (GELECHIIDAE)
About Gelechiid Moths The Gelechiidae are a family of moths commonly referred to as twirler moths or gelechiid moths. They are the namesake family of the huge and little-studied superfamily Gelechioidea. These are generally very small moths with narrow, fringed...
Measuring moths (GEOMETRIDAE )
About Geometrids Many Geometrids have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hindwings visible. As such they appear rather butterfly-like but in most respects they are typical moths. The majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to...
Leaf Miners (GRACILLARIIDAE )
About Leaf Miners Leaf miner caterpillars form tunnels and cavities in the spongy layer between the upper and lower surfaces of leaves. They live and feed inside these cavities. Later some species may cut and roll the leaf as shelter in which they feed and pupate. The...
Cup Moths (LIMACODIDAE )
Cup Moths Anaxidia lozogramma Anaxidia lozogramma is a moth of the Limacodidae family found in Australia, in coastal and subcoastal areas from the Atherton tableland to Eungella in northern Queensland and from southern Queensland to Mount Keira in New South...
Tussock Moths (LYMANTRIIDAE )
About Tussock Moths Lymantriidae is a family of moths found all over the world. Adult moths do not feed, have muted brown and grey colours, although some are white, and tend to be very hairy. In the larvae of some species, hairs are gathered in dense tufts along the...
Owlet Moths (NOCTUIDAE)
About Owlet Moths Noctuidae is the largest family of the Lepidoptera. It is a mega-diverse family with moths in a huge array of sizes, shapes and colours. Males have a kidney-shaped spot which is a useful diagnostic feature. Yellow Tiger Moth Yellow Tiger Moth....
Prominents (NOTODONTIDAE)
About Prominents Notodontidae is a family of moths most concentrated in tropical areas, heavy-bodied and long-winged, the wings held folded across the back of the body at rest. Black Spot Moth The adult female Black Spot Moth Epicoma melanospila has silvery white...
Case Moths, Bag Moths (PSYCHIDAE)
About Case Moths, Bag Moths The Psychidae family of moths have larval cases or bags which are unique to each species. The cases are decorated with leaves, twigs or grass. The larvae feed on lichens and plants. Adults have no proboscis and cannot feed. Small Log Cabin...
Hawk Moths (SPHINGIDAE)
About Hawk Moths The Hawk Moths Sphingidae can fly very fast, and can also hover in flight. They use this ability to sip nectar from flowers using their long haustellum (tongue) when they fly in the evening. They are large moths with long narrow forewings and smaller...
Timber Moths, Flower Moths (XYLORYCTIDAE)
About Timber Moths, Flower Moths Moths in family Xyloryctidae have stout bodies. Most are small but there are larger species with wingspans up to 75 mm. Larvae of some species tunnels into the stems of plants or make silk tunnels in leaves and lichens. There are about...
