Stenoptilia zophodactylus (Duponchel, [1840])
(one synonym:
Pterophorus loewii)
PTEROPHORIDAE
Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Deborah Matthews &
Stella Crossley
(updated 1 March 2007)
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 ).
The adult moth is plain brown, and has a wingspan of about 1 cm.
The species is found all over Australia, including Tasmania.
Further reading :
Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia,
Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 332.
