Animal Species:Wedge Footman Calamidia hirta (Walker, 1854)
This large lichen moth rolls its wings around its body in the "footman" style. It has a long north-south distribution on the east coast of Australia, and is also found on Lord Howe Island.
Lithosiinae Calamidia hirta male
D. Britton
© Australian Museum
Alternative Name/s
Lichen moth
Identification
Males are unmistakable, with elongate forward-pointing labial palps which have a clubbed tip. Females lack the elongate labial palps, and have pale white forewings and cream hindwings. Females might be confused with the pale Hesychopa chionara, but H. chionara has an angular tip on the forewings which are rounded in C. hirta,
Similar Species
Hesychopa chinoara
Distribution
South from Paluma/Atherton to Tasmania, also Lord Howe Island
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Calamidia hirta specimens from the Australian Museum database
Feeding and Diet
Larvae probably feed on lichens
Classification
- Species:
- hirta
- Genus:
- Calamidia
- Subfamily:
- Lithosiinae
- Family:
- Arctiidae
- Superfamily:
- Noctuoidea
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Class:
- Insecta
- Phylum:
- Arthropoda
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
Dr
Dave Britton
, Collection Manager, Entomology
Last Updated:
Tags lichen moth, Lithosiinae,
