Phallaria ophiusaria

Phallaria ophiusaria, the large leaf moth, is the only species in the monotypic moth genus Phallaria in the family Geometridae. It is known from the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Both the genus and species were first described by Achille Guenée in 1857.[1][2]

Phallaria ophiusaria
Scientific classification
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Genus:
Phallaria

Guenée, 1857
Species:
P. ophiusaria
Binomial name
Phallaria ophiusaria
Guenée, 1857
Synonyms
  • Oenochroma quaternaria Herrich-Schäffer, 1858
  • Smerinthus wayii Tepper, 1882

The wingspan is about 70 mm. Adult have brown wings with a comma-shaped spot and a diagonal stripe on each wing.[3]

The larvae feed on Acacia pycnantha, Dodonaea species and Hakea rostrata. They are brown with a hairy pointed knob on the tail. It has the habit of standing straight at an angle on a branch, thus resembling a twig.

References

  1. Australian Faunal Directory
  2. Savela, Markku. "Phallaria Guenée, 1857". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  3. Herbison-Evans, Don & Crossley, Stella (16 June 2013). "Phallaria ophiusaria Guenée, 1857 Large Leaf Moth". Australian Caterpillars and their Butterflies and Moths. Retrieved 24 May 2019.


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