Myrtartona leucopleura
Encyclopedia
Myrtartona leucopleura is a species of moth
in the Zygaenidae
family. It is found in Queensland
, New South Wales
and the Australian Capital Territory
.
The length of the forewings is 8-8.5 mm for males. The head, thorax and abdomen ground colour are dark brownish. The upperside of the forewings is dark grey-brown. The underside is slightly paler. The hindwing upperside is blackish grey, but paler proximally. The underside is similar but slightly paler. Females are similar to males but have narrower and more rounded wings. It is the only Australian Zygaenidae
species with a bright white lateral line along the abdomen.
Adults have been reported exhibiting thanatosis when disturbed.
The larvae possibly feed on Leptospermum
or Eucalyptus
species.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
in the Zygaenidae
Zygaenidae
The Zygaenidae moths are a family of Lepidoptera. The majority of zygaenids are tropical, but they are nevertheless quite well represented in temperate regions. There are about 1000 species. Various species are commonly known as Burnet or Forester moths, often qualified by the number of spots,...
family. It is found in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
.
The length of the forewings is 8-8.5 mm for males. The head, thorax and abdomen ground colour are dark brownish. The upperside of the forewings is dark grey-brown. The underside is slightly paler. The hindwing upperside is blackish grey, but paler proximally. The underside is similar but slightly paler. Females are similar to males but have narrower and more rounded wings. It is the only Australian Zygaenidae
Zygaenidae
The Zygaenidae moths are a family of Lepidoptera. The majority of zygaenids are tropical, but they are nevertheless quite well represented in temperate regions. There are about 1000 species. Various species are commonly known as Burnet or Forester moths, often qualified by the number of spots,...
species with a bright white lateral line along the abdomen.
Adults have been reported exhibiting thanatosis when disturbed.
The larvae possibly feed on Leptospermum
Leptospermum
Leptospermum is a genus of about 80-86 species of plants in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. Most species are endemic to Australia, with the greatest diversity in the south of the continent; but one species extends to New Zealand, another to Malaysia, and L. recurvum is endemic to Malaysia.They...
or Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
species.