Erechthias simulans (Butler, 1882)
(one synonym : Decadarchis melanastra Meyrick, 1886)
ERECHTHIINAE,   TINEIDAE,   TINEOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans,
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Erechthias simulans
(Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

These caterpillars bore into decaying wood and plant stems. They pupate in a tough cocoon in their borehole. The pupa has a length of about 1 cm.

Erechthias simulans
(Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

The adult moth of this species has white forewings, each with elongated black spots. The hindwings are grey. The wingspan is about 2 cms.

Erechthias simulans
underside
(Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

The species is found across the south Pacific, including

  • Cook Islands,
  • Hawaii,

    and in Australia in

  • Queensland.


    Further reading :

    Arthur G. Butler,
    On a small collection of Lepidoptera from the Hawaiian Islands,
    Transactions of the Entomological Society of London,
    1882, p. 43-44, No. 16, Ref. 159.

    Gaden S. Robinson & Ebbe S. Nielsen,
    Tineid Genera of Australia,
    Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera Volume 2,
    CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 1993.


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    (written 6 September 2012, updated 17 August 2013, 21 May 2022)