Acanthodela erythrosema
Common NameAcanthodela erythrosema
Scientific NameAcanthodela erythrosema
FamilyOecophoridae
SubfamilyOecophorinae
Wingspan (mm)18
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorspale brown, tan, black, reddish-orange
HabitatForests, woodlands, shrublands
Geographic RangeSoutheastern Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania)
Host PlantsSpecific host plants not widely documented; likely native Australian trees and shrubs, possibly feeding on decaying plant matter or fungi.
Flight PeriodVariable, typically spring to autumn depending on region
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLike most moths, it undergoes complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Larvae are often concealed feeders, possibly on decaying plant matter, fungi, or within plant tissues.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive pale brownish-tan forewings with a central black spot outlined in reddish-orange. The overall cryptic coloration and small size are also characteristic.
Description
A small, pale brownish-tan moth characterized by a prominent, somewhat kidney-shaped black spot outlined in reddish-orange on each forewing, with a darker, irregular band near the wing base.
