Subfamily Lithosiinae
Family Arctiidae
Order Lepidoptera
Australia has over 215 species of lichen moths. These are placed in the subfamily Lithosiinae, family Arctiidae. Species of lichen moth are found all over the world, but most Australian species are endemic (only occur in Australia). A common species in the Sydney region is the Banded Lichen Moth (Eutane terminalis).
Banded Lichen Moth caterpillars grow to 13 mm, and come in tufted and non-tufted forms. Adult moths have a wingspan of 25 mm - 30 mm, and are variegated orange and black.
The caterpillars of other related species of lichen moth are often hairy as well, but come with different arrangements of tufts and often with orange or red spots between the tufts.
Adult lichen moths can be recognised by their wing colouration, and the way they hold their wings. Many rest with the wings rolled around the abdomen rather than holding them in the shape of a roof.
Adult moths often have bright orange, yellow, red, black and white wing markings. In the related sub-family Arctiinae the same colouring occurs in some species, giving those moths the common name of 'Tiger Moths'.
The small, tufted caterpillars of the Banded Lichen Moth (Eutane terminalis) are often found crawling on house walls and ceilings in Sydney suburbs. They have been found in great numbers during and after wet weather, especially on older woodwork and roofs, where lichens tend to grow. They manage to get into houses through ventilation grilles and other holes, looking for places to spin a cocoon and pupate. The caterpillars eventually pupate, to emerge as black and orange moths that congregate in gardens.
Adults appear from late August and can be seen as late as March. Humid summers may be responsible for sudden population explosions of these moths.
Skin irritation (urticaria) can result from handling some lichen moth caterpillars.
The bright colours of the adults may warn potential predators such as birds that the moths taste bad. Lichens have many toxic chemicals, and the caterpillars which feed on them can store these chemicals as a defence mechanisms. These defensive chemicals are retained in the adult moths.
Lichen moth species are found in areas where conditions favour the development of lichen and other encrusting algae. These habitats include everything from rainforests to alpine regions, and even deserts, where algae and lichen often form encrusting 'carpets' on the ground. Lichens are often important components of natural habitats, providing nutrients and preventing erosion, and lichen moths may provide a means of measuring environmental health.
Lichen moths may also be good environmental indicators of pollution. Pollutants such as acid rain and heavy metals often kill lichens, and absence, or reduced diversity of lichen moth species in affected areas may indicate that damage to the lichen community has occurred.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
This page: http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/banded_lichen_moths.htm
