#lepidoptera study

[rattyexplores]

Lepidoptera Study - Alucitidae

Alucitidae, or Many-plumed moths, have wings that are unlike other Lepidoptera. Instead of a seemingly flat surface made up of thousands of tiny scales, the wings on Alucitidae are made up of tiny feathers (usually around 10-20, though that is my estimate).

Better view of the wings. (The moth was too tiny for my phone to pick up many details)

Alucitidae are quite rare, having only 210 species in the family, most of which are found in Temperate to Subtropical regions. There is only one species that occurs in Britain and North America, Alucita hexadactyla, “Twenty-plumed Moth” (which feeds on Honeysuckle BTW).

[rattyexplores]

Lepidoptera Study - 19/01/21 - “Spiked inchworms”

Eucyclodes is a genus of Spiked inchworms I’m most familiar with, however, I still don’t have much information. And a lot of the larval stages of this genus have yet to be found. 

Some examples of Eucyclodes caterpillars include: Eucyclodes metaspila “Gumtree bizarre looper”, Eucyclodes pieroides “Wattle bizarre looper”, and Eucyclodes insperata “Lacy Emerald”.

There are also some unknown species I’ve come across that have the same spiked body shape, like the Lichen-mimicking Caterpillar.

Although I am uncertain, it appears that having spikes protruding from the side of the upper back is a big trait of the genus.

However his trait also exists outside of Eucyclodes, This Cymatoplex caterpillar is also spiked in a similar way, though the early instar is more-so bumped. Eucyclodes maintain the back spikes throughout their larval stage, from what I’ve seen.

Specimens found QLD, Australia.