Phytometra formosalis (Walker, 1866) (previously known as Rhodaria formosalis) BOLETOBIINAE,   EREBIDAE,   NOCTUOIDEA

Don Herbison-Evans (donherbisonevans@yahoo.com) and Stella Crossley

(Photo: courtesy of Trevor Jinks, North Burnett, Queensland)

The adult moth of this species is gold, with a maroon costa and margin to each forewing. Some specimens also have scattered black markings. The hindwings are pale brown shading to darker brown at the margins, with pink marginal hairs. The head has dark brown eyes. The wingspan is about 2.5 cms. The moths are inclined to rest with the head pointing downwards.

(Photo: courtesy of CSIRO/BIO Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph)

Initial DNA studies of these moths suggest that specimens from Australia identified as this species are actually Phytometra laevis.

Further reading :

Francis Walker,
Catalogue of Lepidoptera Heterocera,
List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
Part 34, Supplement 4 (1865), pp. 1284-1285.

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(updated 13 April 2013, 27 April 2025)