TORTRICIDAE of Australia Bell Moths, Leaf Rollers TORTRICOIDEA

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

TORTRICIDAE eggs

TORTRICIDAE caterpillars

TORTRICIDAE pupae

TORTRICIDAE moths

TORTRICIDAE females

TORTRICIDAE undersides

Some notable members of the 638 named Australian species of TORTRICIDAE are listed here in three subfamilies: CHLIDANOTINAE (9 named species) CHLIDANOTINAE moths OLETHREUTINAE (232 named species) OLETHREUTINAE eggs    OLETHREUTINAE caterpillars    OLETHREUTINAE pupae    OLETHREUTINAE moths    OLETHREUTINAE undersides TORTRICINAE (397 named species) TORTRICINAE eggs    TORTRICINAE caterpillars    TORTRICINAE pupae    TORTRICINAE moths    TORTRICINAE undersides Some members of this family are called Bell Moths because the outline of the wings in the natural posture of the adult moth resembles the silhouette of a church bell. Others are called Leaf Rollers because the Caterpillars of many species roll the leaves of their foodplant, joining them together with silk, and live and pupate within this leafy shelter. Some tunnel into flower spikes, fruit, or galls. The Caterpillars of TORTRICIDAE in general are small with soft smooth skins and fine sparse hairs. They often wriggle backward when disturbed, trying to withdraw into any available crevice. They are also very inclined to drop on a silken thread. Todd Gilligan has published images on the web of the adult moths of over 2,000 species in TORTRICIDAE from all over the world, including Australia. previous family Australian butterflies Australian Lepidoptera Australian moths next family (updated 15 June 2014, 7 August 2024)