Olethreutine Moths Of Australia

Olethreutine moths often have fruit-boring larvae and this economically important group includes many horticultural pests such as codling moths, Oriental fruit moths and macadamia nut borers. This volume is the first reference to describe the 90 olethreutine genera present in Australia. It provides generic definitions, a key to genera, generic descriptions, and illustrations of adults, heads, venation, genitalia of both sexes and other diagnostic structures of all genera. Summaries of biology and distribution and a checklist for all named Australian species are given for each genus. Importantly, it includes a comprehensive reorganisation of olethreutine classification, based on generic revisions, with a worldwide impact. The volume contains copious illustrations (two species per genus where possible) to convey generic concepts, and to allow identification of this economically important group. Nearly all olethreutine genera present in Australia extend into Asia and beyond, so the book will be relevant to horticultural pests throughout Asia, and crucial to an understanding of olethreutine evolution worldwide. The diverse Australian olethreutine fauna is particularly rich in enarmoniine and grapholitine genera, several new to science and adding significantly to the concepts of these two tribes. Given the wealth of biological information, the book will be important for ecological work on phytophagous insects well beyond Australia.

This volume is the first reference to describe the 90 olethreutine genera present in Australia.

This is the first comprehensive, reliable, well-illustrated book covering the enormous diversity of Australian moths, summarising our knowledge of them by the acknowledged experts in the field. The text includes nomenclature and a wealth of information on distribution, larval food plants, and the fascinating behaviour of these often colourful insects. There are authoritative accounts of moth structure, their life history, biology, population control, economic significance, evolution and geographical distribution. Additional features include a section on collecting and studying moths, a glossary, a detailed index and an extensive list of references.

Hawkmoths are large charismatic insects with highly variable and colourful larvae. Some species are specialised in their habitat preferences, but others are widespread and often encountered in gardens. However, little is known about most species, and associating the adults with their larvae has previously been difficult or impossible. Hawkmoths of Australia allows identification of all of the Australian hawkmoths for the first time and treats species found on mainland Australia, Tasmania and all offshore islands within Australian limits. It presents previously undescribed life histories of nearly all species and provides a comprehensive account of hawkmoth biology, including new parasitoids and their hawkmoth hosts. Detailed drawings and photographs show the external and internal morphology of adults and immatures, and eggs, larval instars and pupa. Keys are provided for last instar larvae and pupae of the 71 species that the authors have reared. The book is concluded by a glossary, appendices to parasitoids and larval foodplants, an extensive reference list with bibliographical notes and a comprehensive index. The wealth of new information in this book makes it an essential reference for anyone interested in these moths. Hawkmoths of Australia is Volume 13 of the Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera Series.

Conservation interest in moths, by far the predominant components of Lepidoptera, lags far behind that for butterflies, for which conservation practice provides many well-established lessons for extension to their near relatives. The needs of moths are at least as great, but their greater richness and variety, and far poorer documentation of diversity and biology over much of the world contribute to this lack of attention. Australia’s rich moth fauna, largely endemic and of global interest, illustrates many of the problems of developing wider interest and support for moth conservation. Numerous species (perhaps half the total fauna) are undescribed, and many are ecological specialists in restricted and vulnerable environments over small parts of the continent. Establishing their conservation status and needs whilst accepting that foundation knowledge is highly incomplete and much species-focused conservation is impracticable provides complex problems in setting priorities, based largely on wider diversity and effective advocacy. Most Australian vegetation systems, from grassland to forest and from sea-level to alpine zones, have been eroded in extent and quality since European settlement, resulting in massive habitat changes for native insects and to leave fragmented (and commonly degraded) remnants in which moths and others may persist. Recent surveys continue to increase recorded moth richness, reveal local faunal peculiarities, and indicate how assemblage changes may mirror wider environmental changes. This book is an overview of advances in documenting and interpreting moth diversity and ecology, to show how information from better-studied moth faunas can help in planning conservation of Australia’s moths through measures such as understanding the moths themselves by increased surveys and study, the factors influencing their diversity and wellbeing, and how such threats may be countered through increased coordinated conservation interest, commitment and management.

This book is an essential, up-to-date reference on moths by an Australian authority. Emphasis is given to behaviour, defence mechanisms and larval food plants, and to egg, larval, pupal and adult structure. More than 1000 species are figured in 32 colour and 46 halftone plates of photographs, and in numerous line drawings.

Moths are often thought of as the ugly cousins of butterflies, yet their colours can be just as remarkable and, with over 20,000 species in Australia, their biology and lifestyles are far more diverse. With striking colour photographs of live moths in their natural habitat, this guide illustrates all the major moth families in Australia, including some rarely seen species. It provides many curious facts about the unusual aspects of moth biology, including details on day-flying species, camouflage, moths that mimic wasps, larvae with stinging hairs, and larvae that have gills. This easy-to-read book includes sections on the iconic Witjuti grubs, Bogong moths, the giant-tailed Hercules moths of northern Queensland (one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan of over 25 cm), moths that release hydrocyanic acid in their defence, and moths that produce ultrasonic calls that bats learn to associate with a bad taste. A Guide to Australian Moths highlights the environmental role of moths, their relationships with other animals and plants, and their importance to humans. It provides a unique introduction to the extraordinary diversity of moths found in Australia.