Stenoptilia zophodactylus (Duponchel, [1840])
(one synonym: Pterophorus loewii)
PTEROPHORIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Deborah Matthews & Stella Crossley

(updated 21 April 2009)

This Caterpillar is reported to feed on the flowers of various members of the family GENTIANACEAE including :

  • Yellow-wort ( Blackstonia perfoliata ),
  • Centaury ( Centaurium erythraea ),
  • Seaside Centaury ( Centaurium littorale ),
  • Branching Centaury ( Centaurium pulchellum ),
  • Centaury ( Centaurium umbellatum ),
  • Charming Centaury ( Centaurium venustum ),
  • Showy Prairie Gentian ( Eustoma russellianum ),
  • Chiltern Gentian ( Gentianella germanica ),
  • Mountain Gentian ( Gentianella diemensis ), and
  • Yellow Gentian ( Gentianella lutea ).

    Stenoptilia zophodactyla
    (Photo: courtesy of Donald Hobern, Aranda)

    The adult moth is plain brown, and has a wingspan of about 1 cm. The species is found all over the world, including:

  • Japan,
  • South America,
  • U.K.,
  • U.S.A.,
    and also in Australia, including:
  • Australian Capital Territory, and
  • Tasmania.


    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, fig. 30.15, p. 332.


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