Sinpunctiptilia emissalis (Walker,1864)
Speedwell Pterror
 (also known as Platyptilus emissalis)
PTEROPHORINAE,   PTEROPHORIDAE,   PTEROPHORIOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Debbie Matthews & Stella Crossley

Sinpunctiptilia emissalis
(Photo: courtesy of Donald Hobern, Aranda, Australian Capital Territory)

These caterpillars are off-white with pink markings. They live in a sparse web that is decorated with frass. They have been found feeding on the leaves of:

  • Digger's Speedwell ( Derwentia perfoliata, SCROPHULARIACEAE ).

    Sinpunctiptilia emissalis
    (Photo: courtesy of Ian McMillan, Imbil, Queensland)

    The moth has brown plumes, with two pale marks near each forewing wingtip, and several dark marks on each forewing costa. Its wingspan is about 2 cms.

    Sinpunctiptilia emissalis
    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    This species has been found in :

  • Queensland,
  • New South Wales,
  • Australian Capital Territory,
  • Victoria,
  • South Australia, and
  • Western Australia.

    The name of this species, Sinpunctiptilia emissalis, is currently thought to be a senior synonym for Platyptilia omissalis.

    Further reading :

    Francis Walker,
    Tineites,
    List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
    Part 30 (1864), p. 930, No. 14.

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    (updated 17 October 2010, 10 November 2025)