Footmen, Lichen Moths.
ARCTIIDAE , NOCTUOIDEA
Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
(updated 11 September 2008)
Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
(updated 11 September 2008)
The Caterpillars of the subfamily LITHOSIINAE typically have hairs in various patterns over the body. The hairs can cause Urticaria in sensitive people. The Caterpillars typically feed on Lichens and Algae. Characteristically, if disturbed, they roll into a tight spiral with the head in the centre.
They pupate in a cocoon made of silk with their hairs matted together.
The adults are small to medium in size, and many are black and yellow. Some often fold their wings closely along their bodies giving them a stiff appearance: hence their name "Footmen".
Some common species of the 215 named Australian members of this subfamily are:
Anestia ombrophanes : Clouded Footman
Anestia semiochrea
Asura cervicalis
Asura lydia
Asura polyspila
Eilema plana : Little White Lichen Moth
Eutane terminalis : Banded Lichen Moth
Eutane trimochla
Halone sinuata : Rock Lichen Moth
Hectobrocha pentacyma
Heliosia jucunda
Heliosia perichares
Heterallactis phlogozona
Heterallactis stenochrysa
Lyclene pyraula
Lyclene reticulata
Lyclene structa : Banded Lichen Moth
Manulea dorsalis
Manulea replana : Lichen-eating Caterpillar
Palaeosia bicosta : Two-Ribbed Arctiid
Scaptesyle dichotoma : Reticulated Footman
Scoliacma bicolora : Red Footman
Termessa gratiosa
Termessa nivosa
Termessa shepherdi : Shepherd's Footman
Thallarcha macilenta
Thallarcha partita
Thallarcha sparsana
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