Cryptophasa insana (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875)
 (previously known as Tortrix insana)
XYLORYCTIDAE,   GELECHIOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Cryptophasa insana
(Photo: courtesy of Lyn Craggs, Tamworth, New South Wales)

This adult moth has white or yellow forewings, crossed be several black zigzag lines. The hindwings are white or yellow, with black margins. The wingspan is about 3 cms.

Cryptophasa insana
(Photo: courtesy of Lyn Craggs, Tamworth, New South Wales)

The species has been found in :

  • New South Wales,
  • Victoria,
  • South Australia, and
  • Western Australia.

    Cryptophasa insana
    female, drawing by Felder & Rogenhofer, listed as Tortrix insana    ,
    Reise der Osterreichischen Fregatte Novara,
    Band 2, Abtheilung 2 (5) (1875), Plate CXL, fig. 33,
    image courtesy of Biodiversity Heritage Library, digitized by Smithsonian Libraries.

    This species is easily confused with, and may be even be a senior synonym of: Cryptophas tetrazona.

    Further reading :

    Rudolf Felder & Alois F. Rogenhofer,
    Zoologisher Theil,
    Reise der Osterreichischen Fregatte Novara,
    Band 2, Abtheilung 2 (5) (1875), p. 19, and also Plate 140, fig. 33.

    Ian McMillan,
    Cryptophasa insana, Xyloryctine Moths of Australia,
    Blog, Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

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    (updated 25 May 2011, 21 July 2023)