Anachloris tofocolorata

Anachloris tofocolorata Schmidt, 2001
Sandstone Carpet
HYDRIOMENINI, LARENTIINAE, GEOMETRIDAE, GEOMETROIDEA

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

Anachloris tofocolorata
male
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Moths of Victoria: Part 3)

The Caterpillars of this species have been found feeding on the buds and flowers of :

Twiggy Guinea Flower (Hibbertia virgata, DILLENIACEAE).

female
(Photo: courtesy of Olga Schmidt)

The adult moths have forewings that are usually pale ochreous in colour, or in winter forms : grey. The forewings in both sexes each have a slightly pointed apex, and a slightly sinuate termen Two obscure dark lines cross each forewing converging on the hind margin which often end in a dark mark. The moths have a wingspan of about 3 cms.

male
(Photo: courtesy of Peter Marriott, Moths of Victoria: Part 3)

The name of this species has nothing to do with tofu. The name “tofocolorata” is derived from the Latin “tofus” which means “sandstone”. The species occurs in relatively dry sandy areas, and has wings coloured like a sandstone.

The species has been found in the southern half of Australia, including

Queensland,

New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory,

Victoria,

Tasmania,

South Australia, and

Western Australia.

Further reading :

Peter Marriott,
Moths of Victoria: Part 3,
Waves & Carpets - GEOMETROIDEA (C),
Entomological Society of Victoria, 2011, pp. 28-29.

Olga Schmidt,
Australian species of Anachloris Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae): taxonomy, musculature of the male genitalia and systematic position,
Australian Journal of Entomology,
Volume 40, part 3 (July 2001), pp. 219-230.