Musotima nitidalis

Musotima nitidalis
Musotima nitidalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Musotima
Species: M. nitidalis
Binomial name
Musotima nitidalis
(Walker, 1866)[1]
Synonyms
  • Isopteryx nitidalis Walker, 1866
  • Diathrausta timaralis Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875

Musotima nitidalis is a species of moth of the Crambidae family. It is known from New Zealand and most of Australia, including Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Adults are brown with various white markings outlined in black on each forewing.[2]

The larvae feed on the undersides of the leaves of various Polypodiophyta species, including Adiantum aethiopicum and Pteridium esculentum. They live in a sparse web. They are pale green with a transparent skin. Pupation takes place in a folded leaf of the food plant, held by strands of white silk.

References

  1. ^ "Australian Faunal Directory". Environment.gov.au. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/afd/taxa/522b60ed-22fc-4e34-bb5a-4475d79566e8. Retrieved 2011-10-11. 
  2. ^ "Australian Insects". Lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au. 2011-09-08. http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/muso/nitidalis.html. Retrieved 2011-10-11. 
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