Lichenaula undulatella

Lichenaula undulatella is a moth in the family Xyloryctidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1864. It is found in Australia,[1] where it has been recorded from New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

Lichenaula undulatella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Xyloryctidae
Genus: Lichenaula
Species:
L. undulatella
Binomial name
Lichenaula undulatella
(Walker, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Cryptolechia undulatella Walker, 1864

The wingspan is 18–21 mm. The forewings are red brown, becoming deeper on the lower half and there is a rather broad white streak along the costa from near the base to near the apex, attenuated to both extremities. A broad grey streak, sprinkled with brownish, is found along the inner margin from the base to the anal angle, beyond the middle forming a broad triangular projection upwards, reaching half across the wing, then abruptly attenuated. There is a darker transverse mark in the disc at two-thirds and a slender strongly outwards-curved whitish line from the costal streak at two-thirds to the inner margin before the anal angle, indented above the lower extremity, where it forms a small spot. There is also a grey apical blotch, covering the whole area beyond this line except a spot towards the anal angle and there is a series of small dark fuscous spots along the hindmargin and around the apex. The hindwings are fuscous, lighter and more ochreous-tinged anteriorly, the hindmargin suffusedly darker.

The larvae feed on Acacia decurrens, Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia pendula and Jacksonia scoparia. They bore in a plant gall or are found in a shelter in leaves or phyllodes.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Savela, Markku. "Lichenaula undulatella (Walker, 1864)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  2. ^ Xyloryctine Moths of Australia   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.