Family AGATHIPHAGIDAE
Compiler and date details
28 June 2007 - E.D. (Ted) Edwards, CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia
Introduction
The kauri moth family contains a single genus with two species, one of which occurs in eastern Queensland and the other on islands of the south-western Pacific. Both were described by Dumbleton (1952). Like Micropterigidae, adult Agathiphagidae have functional mandibles and lack a proboscis. The family is the only member of the suborder Aglossata.
The apodous larvae feed in the seeds of Agathis (Kauri Pine) and the caddisfly-like adults are attracted to light (Robinson & Tuck 1976).
General References
Dumbleton, L.J. 1952. A new genus of seed-infesting micropterygid moths. Pacific Science 6: 17-29
Robinson, G.S. & Tuck, K.R. 1976. The Kauri Moth Agathiphaga. A preliminary report. London : British Museum (Natural History) 8 pp.