Sciaphila debiliana (Walker, 1863)
 (one synonym : Capua melancrocana Meyrick, 1881)
EPITYMBIINI,   TORTRICINAE,   TORTRICIDAE,   TORTRICOIDEA
  
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Sciaphila debiliana
(Photo: courtesy of Donald Hobern, Aranda, Australian Capital Territory)

The Caterpillars of this species feed on dead leaves of Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus ).

The adult moth has wings that are grey, with various markings, including two large dark marks on the hind margin and one on the costa of each forewing. The hindwings are plain pale brown. The wingspan is about 2 cms.

Sciaphila debiliana
(Photo: courtesy of Cathy Powers, Brisbane Ranges, Victoria)

The species has been found in :

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

    Sciaphila debiliana
    (Photo: courtesy of Elaine McDonald, Nicolls Rivulet, Tasmania)

    The genus of this species is controversial. It is the type species of the DEBILIANA GROUP, containing :

  • Capua melanocrocana,
  • Capua pentazona,,
  • Capua symphonica, and
  • Sciaphila sidneyana.

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

    Further reading

    Francis Walker,
    Tortricites & Tineites,
    List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
    Part 28 (1863), p. 351, No. 62.

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    (updated 25 September 2009, 7 March 2024)