Overview

The insect Order Lepidoptera is one of the four megadiverse groups of insects globally. The vast majority of the Order are moths and the unique Australian fauna has long been of interest to scientists and other enthusiasts. Australian Moths: a Natural History presents a synthesis of much of the research work that has occurred over the last 30 years on the Australian moth fauna, focussing on the ecology, evolution and natural history of this key Order of insects. All the chapters are authored by experts currently active in the field. Following introductory material, the chapters fall into three broad categories. Seven chapters present general accounts of the fauna ranging from the history of its discovery (including Indigenous knowledge), through origin and evolution, community ecology, to conservation. A central block of chapters describes key groups of Australian moths which have radiated extensively in Australia, followed by chapters summarizing knowledge on key species. These species are of particular economic, social or conservation significance. The book closes with a chapter on key knowledge gaps as a challenge to future researchers and naturalists. The work is essential reading for research students, senior scientists, conservationists, pest managers and amateur entomologists. It aims to promote moths as exciting and productive subjects for further study, enthusiasm and admiration.

Full Product Details

Author:   Professor Roger Kitching (Emeritus Professor of Ecology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia)
Publisher:   CABI Publishing
Imprint:   CABI Publishing
ISBN:  

9781800627666

ISBN 10:   1800627661
Pages:   588
Publication Date:   27 February 2026
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

1: INTRODUCTION: MOTHS AND THE AUSTRALIAN FAUNA PART 1: HISTORY, EVOLUTION & ECOLOGY 2: DISCOVERY AND HISTORY 3: ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION. 4: BIOGEOGRAPHY 5: LIFE HISTORIES AND FEEDING ECOLOGY 6: NATURAL ENEMIES: CHALLENGES AND RESPONSES 7: DISPERSAL AND MIGRATION 8: THE COMMUNITY ECOLOGY OF AUSTRALIAN MOTHS 9: MOTH CONSERVATION IN AUSTRALIA PART 2: TAXON ACCOUNTS 10.: THE HEPIALIDAE: THE GHOST MOTHS 11: THE HELIOZELIDAE: THE SHIELD-BEARERS 12: THE OECOPHORIDAE: THE MALLEE OR CONCEALER MOTHS 13: THE XYLORICTIDAE: THE TIMBER MOTHS 14: THE PSYCHIDAE: THE BAGWORM MOTHS 15: THE COSSOIDEA: WOOD-BORERS, SUN MOTHS, CLEARWING MOTHS AND THEIR RELATIVES 16: THE LIMACODIDAE: THE AUSTRALIAN CUP-MOTHS 17: THE PYRALOIDEA: THE SNOUT AND GRASS MOTHS 18: THE GEOMETRIDAE: WAVES, EMERALDS, CARPETS AND THEIR RELATIVES 19: THE SPHINGIDAE: THE HAWKMOTHS 20: NOCTUOIDEA – AN OVERVIEW 21: THE ARCTIINAE: THE TIGER, LICHEN AND WASP MOTHS 22: THE DAY-MOTHS (AGARISTINAE) PART 3: SPECIES OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 23: MOTHS AS PESTS IN AUSTRALIA 24: THE JARRAH LEAFMINER: PERTHIDA GLYPHOPA 25: THE DIAMONDBACK MOTHS; PLUTELLA XYLOSTELLA AND PLUTELLA AUSTRALIANA 26: THE GIANT WOOD MOTH: ENDOXYLA CINEREUS 27: TORTRICID PESTS: CODLING MOTH, LIGHT-BROWN APPLE MOTH AND THEIR RELATIVES 28: MOTHS OF STORED PRODUCTS 29: PROCESSIONARY CATERPILLARS: OCHROGASTER LUNIFER - A CRYPTIC SPECIES COMPLEX 30: THE FRUIT-PIERCING MOTHS: EUDOCIMA SPECIES - IDENTITIES, DISTRIBUTION, ECOLOGY AND PEST STATUS 31: THE GUMLEAF SKELETONIZER MOTH: URABA LUGENS 32: THE EARWORMS, BOLLWORMS AND BUDWORMS: HELICOVERPA SPP. PART 4: SPECIES OF SPECIAL INTEREST AND CONSERVATION CONCERN 33: MOTHS OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE 34: SCRIBBLY GUM MOTHS: OSMOGRAPTIS SPP. 35: THE GOLDEN SUN-MOTH: SYNEMON PLANA 36: THE SOUTHERN PINK UNDERWING, (PHYLLODES IMPERIALIS SMITHERSI) – A FLAGSHIP SPECIES 37: THE BOGONG MOTHS, AGROTIS INFUSA 38: KNOWLEDGE GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES: A FUTURE FOR MOTH STUDIES IN AUSTRALIA

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Author Information

Roger Kitching is Emeritus Professor of Ecology at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. In addition to being the author and editor nine books, he has published over 280 research papers and articles.

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