A Guide to Australian Moths

A Guide to Australian Moths
Author: Paul Zborowski
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2007-05-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0643099042

Moths are often thought of as the ugly cousins of butterflies, yet their colours can be just as remarkable and, with over 20,000 species in Australia, their biology and lifestyles are far more diverse. With striking colour photographs of live moths in their natural habitat, this guide illustrates all the major moth families in Australia, including some rarely seen species. It provides many curious facts about the unusual aspects of moth biology, including details on day-flying species, camouflage, moths that mimic wasps, larvae with stinging hairs, and larvae that have gills. This easy-to-read book includes sections on the iconic Witjuti grubs, Bogong moths, the giant-tailed Hercules moths of northern Queensland (one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan of over 25 cm), moths that release hydrocyanic acid in their defence, and moths that produce ultrasonic calls that bats learn to associate with a bad taste. A Guide to Australian Moths highlights the environmental role of moths, their relationships with other animals and plants, and their importance to humans. It provides a unique introduction to the extraordinary diversity of moths found in Australia.

Moths of Australia

Moths of Australia
Author: I. F. B. Common
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 582
Release: 1990
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9789004092273

This book is an essential, up-to-date reference on moths by an Australian authority. Emphasis is given to behaviour, defence mechanisms and larval food plants, and to egg, larval, pupal and adult structure. More than 1000 species are figured in 32 colour and 46 halftone plates of photographs, and in numerous line drawings.

Caterpillars, Moths and Their Plants

Caterpillars, Moths and Their Plants
Author: Peter McQuillan
Publisher:
Total Pages: 208
Release: 1919-09-10
Genre:
ISBN: 9780646806488

Using the most recent information, this book draws attention to the wonderful world of moths and their caterpillars. It provides an insight into some of Australia's previously neglected fauna and highlights the importance of caterpillars in the ecosystem as plant-feeding herbivores and as a critical food source for our birds, lizards and other predators. Native and introduced plants associated with each moth species are listed, noting their importance as food for caterpillars and highlighting the need to conserve remaining native habitats and their biota. Householders will be surprised at how many garden plants can support the local moth community, and how these help sustain urban biodiversity and maintain a food supply for other native animals. Readers will gain an idea of the range of various moths from the distribution maps included.The 208 pages include over 650 photographs from many sources, depicting life histories including eggs, caterpillars, pupae and adult moths. A total of 375 species of southern Australian moths are illustrated and mentioned. The book describes the characteristics typical of each family group and each type of moth and caterpillar, supported by text and images. Other highlights include the early history of moth study in South Australia, and a full index of scientific and common moth names and their food plants.

Elachistine Moths of Australia

Elachistine Moths of Australia
Author: Lauri Kaila
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Total Pages: 455
Release: 2011-06-07
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0643103058

The first reference to describe the so-far unknown diversity of Elachistine moths in Australia.

Hawkmoths of Australia

Hawkmoths of Australia
Author: Maxwell Moulds
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Total Pages: 742
Release: 2020-01-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1486302831

Hawkmoths are large charismatic insects with highly variable and colourful larvae. Some species are specialised in their habitat preferences, but others are widespread and often encountered in gardens. However, little is known about most species, and associating the adults with their larvae has previously been difficult or impossible. Hawkmoths of Australia allows identification of all of the Australian hawkmoths for the first time and treats species found on mainland Australia, Tasmania and all offshore islands within Australian limits. It presents previously undescribed life histories of nearly all species and provides a comprehensive account of hawkmoth biology, including new parasitoids and their hawkmoth hosts. Detailed drawings and photographs show the external and internal morphology of adults and immatures, and eggs, larval instars and pupa. Keys are provided for last instar larvae and pupae of the 71 species that the authors have reared. The book is concluded by a glossary, appendices to parasitoids and larval foodplants, an extensive reference list with bibliographical notes and a comprehensive index. The wealth of new information in this book makes it an essential reference for anyone interested in these moths. Hawkmoths of Australia is Volume 13 of the Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera Series.

Zygaenid Moths of Australia

Zygaenid Moths of Australia
Author: Gerhard M Tarmann
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2005-01-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0643099905

The Zygaenidae are a family of day-flying moths with an unusual biology – they are capable of releasing prussic (hydrocyanic) acid. All Australian species belong to the subfamily Procridinae (commonly known as foresters) and many of these feature iridescent green colours or a wasp-like look. This is the first study of the Australian fauna of these attractive and biologically interesting moths. In this volume their beauty is captured larger-than-life in 114 finely detailed portraits by acclaimed artist František Gregor, setting a new benchmark for moth illustrations. Comprehensive general chapters discuss zygaenid morphology, biology, phylogeny and classification, with considerable new information of world-wide relevance. The book then provides in-depth treatments of the 10 genera and 43 species present in Australia, including 4 genera and 21 species new to science. It features keys to genera and species, photos of genitalia of both sexes and other diagnostic structures, and distribution maps for all species. Additionally, there are 8 pages of colour photographs and over 400 photos of microscopic structures, including more than a hundred spectacular scanning electron micrographs.

Olethreutine Moths of Australia

Olethreutine Moths of Australia
Author: Marianne Horak
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Total Pages: 528
Release: 2006-06-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0643099379

Olethreutine moths often have fruit-boring larvae and this economically important group includes many horticultural pests such as codling moths, Oriental fruit moths and macadamia nut borers. This volume is the first reference to describe the 90 olethreutine genera present in Australia. It provides generic definitions, a key to genera, generic descriptions, and illustrations of adults, heads, venation, genitalia of both sexes and other diagnostic structures of all genera. Summaries of biology and distribution and a checklist for all named Australian species are given for each genus. Importantly, it includes a comprehensive reorganisation of olethreutine classification, based on generic revisions, with a worldwide impact. The volume contains copious illustrations (two species per genus where possible) to convey generic concepts, and to allow identification of this economically important group. Nearly all olethreutine genera present in Australia extend into Asia and beyond, so the book will be relevant to horticultural pests throughout Asia, and crucial to an understanding of olethreutine evolution worldwide. The diverse Australian olethreutine fauna is particularly rich in enarmoniine and grapholitine genera, several new to science and adding significantly to the concepts of these two tribes. Given the wealth of biological information, the book will be important for ecological work on phytophagous insects well beyond Australia.

Primitive Ghost Moths

Primitive Ghost Moths
Author: ES Nielsen
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Total Pages: 259
Release: 1989-01-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0643105794

Hepialidae (ghost moths or swifts) are, in terms of diversity and distribution, the most successful group of homoneurous primitive moths. The morphology of Fraus is described in some detail with emphasis on the adult moth, and a new interpretation of hepialid male genitalia is presented. Beyond describing and illustrating a primitive hepialid, these observations are intended to serve as reference for the study of the classification of Hepialoidea and lower Lepidoptera.In the taxonomic revision, based on more than 3000 specimens, the 25 Fraus species are described and diagnosed. The adult moths, as well as male and female genitalia, are richly illustrated, and distribution maps and flight period diagrams are provided for all species. The biology, behaviour, distribution and phylogeny are summarised and discussed.

Atlas of Butterflies and Diurnal Moths in the Monsoon Tropics of Northern Australia

Atlas of Butterflies and Diurnal Moths in the Monsoon Tropics of Northern Australia
Author: Michael Braby
Publisher: ANU Press
Total Pages: 463
Release: 2018-12-07
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1760462330

Northern Australia is one of few tropical places left on Earth in which biodiversity—and the ecological processes underpinning that biodiversity—is still relatively intact. However, scientific knowledge of that biodiversity is still in its infancy and the region remains a frontier for biological discovery. The butterfly and diurnal moth assemblages of the area, and their intimate associations with vascular plants (and sometimes ants), exemplify these points. However, the opportunity to fill knowledge gaps is quickly closing: proposals for substantial development and exploitation of Australia’s north will inevitably repeat the ecological devastation that has occurred in temperate southern Australia—loss of species, loss of ecological communities, fragmentation of populations, disruption of healthy ecosystem function and so on—all of which will diminish the value of the natural heritage of the region before it is fully understood and appreciated. Written by several experts in the field, the main purpose of this atlas is to compile a comprehensive inventory of the butterflies and diurnal moths of northern Australia to form the scientific baseline against which the extent and direction of change can be assessed in the future. Such information will also assist in identifying the region’s biological assets, to inform policy and management agencies and to set priorities for biodiversity conservation.

Splendid Ghost Moths and Their Allies

Splendid Ghost Moths and Their Allies
Author: Thomas Simonsen
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Total Pages: 380
Release: 2018-03-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1486307493

The Hepialidae (Ghost Moths) are a family of often spectacular micro-moths. The Australian region is one of the hot spots for hepialid diversity and the fauna is divided into three groups: primitive Hepialidae with small, often overlooked species; oxycanine Hepialidae, containing the large and poorly known genus Oxycanus and its allies; and finally the hepialine Hepialidae, which span from stunning, green Splendid Ghost Moths in the genus Aenetus, to the enormous moths in the genera Zelotypia and Abantiades (which include some of the most impressive insects in the world), to smaller, drab pest species in the genus Oncopera. Splendid Ghost Moths and Their Allies is the first work to provide comprehensive information about the taxonomy, biology, diversity and morphology of all 70 Australian hepialine Hepialidae species, including the descriptions of 15 species and one genus new to science. Each species is illustrated with colour photographs of males and females and drawings of the genitalia, and the book also contains identification keys to genera and species. Distribution maps and detailed information on where each species is found are included, as well as a species richness map for the group in Australia. This book is an invaluable reference for moth enthusiasts, professional entomologists and nature conservationists alike.