Moths > Moths Index | Index II
The species Calicotis crucifera, is a moth of the subfamily Stathmopodinae. It is commonly known as the Leather-leaf Spore-eater, as they are often observed on the underside of fronds of its host species.
The mature larva are a white colour, plump with a pale brown head and approximately 6 mm in length. The larva build silk tubes that are disguised with fern spore dust and white frond hair and will feed on the fern spores (Pyrrosia eleagnifolia). The larvae can be seen throughout the year, whilst the adult moth will be found on the wing between January to May.
The following Calicotis crucifera is about 6 mm in length.
The followowing Calicotis crucifera was photographed resting on parsley.
At time of research Atlas of Living Australia has slightly difference scientific classification to iNaturalist.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Informal: Pterygotes
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Unranked: Ditrysia
- Superfamily: Gelechioidea
- Family: Oecophoridae
- Subfamily: Stathmopodinae
- Genus: Calicotis
- Species: Calicotis crucifera
Source: Atlas of Living Australia
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Subclass: Pterygota
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Gelechioidea
- Family: Stathmopodidae
- Subfamily: Cuiprininae
- Genus: Calicotis
- Species: Calicotis crucifera
Source: iNaturalistAU
Footnote & References
- Marianne Broug, member of Australian butterflies and moths, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/799465170167144/
- Calicotis crucifera, Observations Marianne Broug, iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=any&subview=map&taxon_id=386965&user_id=mariannebroug&verifiable=any
- Calicotis crucifera Meyrick, 1889, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Calicotis crucifera
- Leather-leaf Spore-Eater (Calicotis crucifera), iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/386965-Calicotis-crucifera
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