Stericta carbonalis

Stericta carbonalis (formerly known as Helia carbonalis)..[1] is a moth native to Australia, found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia. It has recently also been established in New Zealand, first recorded in 2009 on Banks Peninsula.[2]

Stericta carbonalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae
Genus: Stericta
Species:
S. carbonalis
Binomial name
Stericta carbonalis
(Guenée, 1854)

Description

Stericta carbonalis is a moth with a dark brown or grey pattern on its forewings,[3] the hindwings are lighter with a white colour that darkens towards the edges. the adults of this species have dark coloured wings that blend in with the burnt bark of the eucalypt trees.[4] The adults of this species has a curved or 'snub-nosed' head which is common for grass moths.

Distribution

The distribution of this species ranges from Cairns, Queensland, Victoria,[4] New South Wales, and Tasmania. This species has recently established in New Zealand with the earliest recording in 2009, with many records of the species in New Zealand since then, mostly from the South Island, but at least 3 records of the species have been made in the North Island[5]

Life cycle

Stericta carbonalis is part of the Pyralidae family, which have mobile pupa.[6] It feeds on dead eucalypt leaves.[4] The adult is a grass moth that visits flowers and has a nocturnal circadian rhythm[7]

References
  1. "Stericta carbonalis". Butterfly House.
  2. Hoare, R.J.B., Hudson, N. "Adventive moths (Lepidoptera) established in mainland New Zealand: additions and new identifications since 2001". Australian Entomologist. 45 (3): 273–324.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Stericta carbonalis". iNaturalist.
  4. common, I.E.B. (1990). Moths Of Australia. 150 Oxford Street (PO Box 1139). Collingwood VIC 3066,Australia: CSIRO Publishing. p. 384.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  5. "Stericta carbonalis". iNaturalist.
  6. Paul Zborowski, Ted Edwards (2007). A Guide To Australian Moths. 150 Oxford Street (PO Box 1139).Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. pp. 35, 74, 127. ISBN 9-78064309-1597.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  7. "Stericta carbonalis Guenee 1854". Encyclopedia of Life.
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