Aquatic moths
Margarosticha euprepialis ACENTROPINAE CRAMBIDAE
Family:- CRAMBIDAE
Sub Family:- ACENTROPINAE
Genus:- Margarosticha
Species:- euprepialis (probably)
Moths of the sub family ACENTROPINAE, which used to be called NYMPHULINAE, (and still is, by some sites and some books), are aquatic moths. There are believed to be some 50 species of aquatic moths in Australia.
The larvae live in the water obtaining oxygen through diffusion through the skin on the very small larvae, some capture oxygen from the surface and trap it in the hairs on their bodies, and most in Australia have sort of gills along the sides of their bodies.
The arrival of this moth is an interesting case. Our garden pond was leaking badly and needed to be repaired. In the process all the pond weed that we had died, and we replaced the plants with some bought from a pet supply shop and some from a local nursery. A couple of weeks after the pond was back in action we had this moth appear.
I am not sure if the moth is a local or brought in on the pond weed which probably came from the wholesale suppliers near the coast.
A Confusion of names
Margarosticha euprepialis ACENTROPINAE CRAMBIDAE
Sub family of ACENTROPINAE was previously known as NYMPHULINAE and is still used on some sites and in older books. The name Nymphicula australis is also used for Margarosticha australis calling M. australis a synonym along with Cataclysta australis.
Parapoynx diminutalis ACENTROPINAE CRAMBIDAE
We have previously had another aquatic moth, Parapoynx diminutalis ACENTROPINAE CRAMBIDAE here, most likely breeding in our pond.
Family:- CRAMBIDAE
Sub Family:- ACENTROPINAE
Genus:- Parapoynx
Species:- diminutalis
Hygraula nitens ACENTROPINAE CRAMBIDAE
This another aquatic moth we have had here. The hairs on the caterpillars are actually gills.More information from:-
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/acen/nitens.html
(you can copy and paste this into your browser)
Family:- CRAMBIDAE
Sub Family:- ACENTROPINAE
Genus:- Hygraula
Species:- nitens
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