Moths - Superfamily NOCTUOIDEA
This page contains pictures and information about Moths in superfamily NOCTUOIDEA that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
Classification :
- Half of the moths and caterpillars that we found are in this super family NOCTUOIDEA. They are further classified to family level and listed as follow.
Family
Notodontidae - Processionary Caterpillars, Prominent Moths- Most Caterpillars of NOTODONTIDAE will raise their head and/or tail when disturbed. Some of them are hairy but some are smooth with few spines. The caterpillars are usually colourful and active during the day. The adult moths in this family are active at night.
Family Lymantriidae -
Tussock Moths- Their Caterpillars are also hairy, often with four distinct tussocks of hair on their back make them look like a toothbrush. Moths in this family are small to medium size with hairy body. They held their board wings like roots over their abdomen at rest.
Family Arctiidae - Tiger Moths- Most Caterpillars of the ARCTIIDAE are covered in dense dark hairs. The caterpillars are small to medium size. The adults usually have bright warning colour patterns, which are spotted in red, orange, black or white. Their abdomen usually striped with black and yellow-red colour.
Family Aganaidae -
Tropical Tiger
Moths- This family is very closely related with family Arctiidae and sometimes put as its sub-family.
Family Noctuidae -
Noctuid Moths, Armyworms, Semi-Loppers, Owlet Moths- Their Caterpillars are usually smooth or with little hairs. They are from small to large size. The adults mainly fly at night. They usually feed on nectar from flowers or ripe fruit. Most are dull in colour, but some have colourful hindwings.
- Here we would like to thank Don Herbison-Evans for his kindly advices on the identity of some caterpillars and adults in our web site. His Australian Caterpillars web site is our major reference.
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