Eyespot Anthelid Moth
Common NameEyespot Anthelid Moth
Scientific NameAnthela ocellata
FamilyAnthelidae
SubfamilyAnthelinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorstan, brown, orange
HabitatEucalypt forests, woodlands, urban gardens
Geographic RangeSoutheastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania)
Host PlantsEucalyptus spp., Acacia spp., Lophostemon spp., Leptospermum spp., Casuarina spp.
Flight PeriodSeptember to April
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are hairy, often with tufts, and feed on various native trees and shrubs. They pupate in a silken cocoon, often incorporating larval hairs.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive black eyespot on each forewing, the reddish-brown furry thorax, and the pale, often slightly translucent, wings. Males have prominent bipectinate (comb-like) antennae.
Description
A medium-sized moth with pale tan to light brown wings, each forewing featuring a prominent black eyespot and a faint subterminal line. The body is robust and covered in dense, reddish-brown fur.
