Animal Species:Schistophleps albida (Walker, 1865)
These small white moths have only a thin layer of scales so that the wings are almost transparent. They are common at light in regions north of Brisbane in Queensland.
Lithosiinae Schistophleps albida male
D. Britton
© Australian Museum
Identification
This species has two distinct black spots on the forewing, with one near the base of the forewing cell, and one at the tip of the cell. The other species in the genus is S. obducta, which has more brown markings on the forewings, and does not have the distinct black spots. Psilopepla mollis is similar, but is smaller, with more transparent wings, and has only one rather indistinct black marking in the forewing cell. Chamaita barnardi is smaller, has fewer scales on the wings, and has only a few indistinct pale brown markings on the forewings. Males of C. barnardi have highly modified antennal scapes (base of the antenna)
Similar Species
S. obducta, Psilopepla mollis, Chamaita barnardi
Distribution
Coastal Queensland, north from Brisbane
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Schistophleps albida specimens from the Australian Museum database
Feeding and Diet
Larvae probably feed on lichens
Classification
- Species:
- albida
- Genus:
- Schistophleps
- 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,
