TORTRICIDAE of Australia
Bell Moths, Leaf Rollers
TORTRICOIDEA

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

(updated 25 June 2008)

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 it together with silk, and live and pupate within this leafy shelter. Some tunnel into flower spikes, fruit, or galls. The Caterpillars 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.

Some notable members of the 1,230 named Australian species of TORTRICIDAE include:

Adoxophyes panxantha
Adoxophyes templana

Arotrophora anemarcha
Arotrophora arcuatalis : Banksia moth

Crocidosema apicinota
Crocidosema plebejana : Cotton Tipworm

Epinotia absconditana
Epinotia lantana

Epiphyas ashworthana
Epiphyas postvittana : Light Brown Apple Moth