Urticating Anthelid
Common NameUrticating Anthelid
Scientific NameAnthela nicothoe
FamilyAnthelidae
SubfamilyAnthelinae
Wingspan (mm)75
Primary Colorsbrown, orange, black
HabitatOpen forests, woodlands, heathlands, suburban gardens
Geographic RangeEastern and Southern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania)
Host PlantsAcacia, Eucalyptus, Casuarina, Hakea, Leptospermum, Banksia, various grasses
Flight PeriodOctober to May (late spring to autumn in Australia)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae (caterpillars) are covered in dense, irritating hairs that can cause skin irritation, hence the 'urticating' name. They feed on a wide variety of plants before pupating.
Identification TipsLook for the mottled brown wings with distinct wavy dark lines, especially the orange and black submarginal bands on both forewings and hindwings. Small, dark ocelli (eye-spots) are present on the forewings.
Description
A robust, medium-sized moth with mottled brown wings, featuring prominent wavy dark lines and distinctive orange and black submarginal bands, along with small dark spots on the forewings.
