LIMACODIDAE of Australia
Cup and Slug Moths
ZYGAENOIDEA

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

(updated 17 July 2008)

Cup-like cocoons of Mottled Cup Moth ( Doratifera vulnerans ) showing empty pupal skins.

In Australia, these moths are named 'Cup Moths' from the shape of their pupal cocoon. The cocoon usually has a hard round shape, and is attached to a twig of the food plant. When the moth emerges, a lid is severed from the rest of the cocoon shell, leaving a little cup-shaped receptacle behind. The cocoon closely resembles the shape of a gum-nut, the fruit of a Gum Tree ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ), on the leaves of which many species of this family feed.

underside of Caterpillar of Doratifera vulnerans.
(Photo: courtesy of Benoit Panassie)

In the USA, members of this family are called 'Slug Moths' because the Caterpillars have reduced true legs, and have no prolegs. They progress using the complete underside of the body, as a slug does.

Caterpillar of Doratifera vulnerans everting its stinging spines.

In Australia, they are also called 'Spitfires', 'Battleships' or 'Warships'. This is because many species of the Caterpillars carry pockets of stinging spines, which are everted when the animal is disturbed, and sting anyone accidentally brushing against a tree leaf on which it is sitting. Their shape has also given them the common name 'Chinese Junks'. The Caterpillars are inclined to sit by day happily exposed on the leaves of their foodplant, as they have a bright warning pattern or coloration. Their shape, coloration and perhaps their slow progression has led to another of their common names: 'Bondi Trams'.

Many of the moths in this family are inclined to sit on a twig with wings closed over the back, like a tent. Their wingspan is such that this posture makes the wing margins hang down below the twig, quite overlapping it.

The 115 named Australian species in LIMACODIDAE are :

Doratifera ochroptila
Doratifera oxleyi : Painted Cup Moth
Doratifera pinguis
Doratifera quadriguttata : Four Spotted Cup Moth

Doratifera stenora
Doratifera vulnerans : Mottled Cup Moth

Eloasa acrata
Eloasa atmodes

Eloasa calida
Eloasa callidesma

Eloasa sphemosema
Eloasa symphonistis

Mambara haplopis
Mambara delocrossa

Mecytha dnophera
Mecytha fasciata

Pygmaeomorpha modesta
Pygmaeomorpha ocularis