Family LYMANTRIIDAE
DRAFT RECORD
This taxon is under review. This record is released now for public view, prior to final verification. For further information or comment email us.
- Liparidae.
- Lariidae.
- Orgyiidae.
- Dasychiridae.
Introduction
[After Edwards 1996: 275]
The world fauna of Lymantriidae was listed in Lepidopterorum Catalogus by Bryk (1934) {BRYKF1934A}and the Indoaustralian fauna in Seitz's Macrolepidoptera of the World Vol. 10 by Strand (1914-1929){STRANDE1929A}. The Australian fauna was revised by Turner (1921a){TURNERA1921a} and few Australian species have been described since. Riotte (1979) {RIOTTEJ1979A}reviewed Australian species in Orgyia Ochsenheimer and Teia Walker. There are many undescribed Australian species and much revisionary work is needed on the Australian fauna.
Australia has a few small endemic genera but most are widespread genera or shared with New Guinea. Nearly all the described Australian species are endemic but many species in northern Queensland either occur in New Guinea or have sibling species in New Guinea.
The larvae feed on a very wide range of foodplants and are well known for the hair tufts which give some a toothbrush appearance. Larvae of many species cause severe urtication of the human skin and Southcott (1978, 1987) {SOUTHCOTR1978A}{SOUTHCOTR1987A}deals with the medical aspects of these. In particular Euproctis edwardsii (Newman) and Leptocneria reducta (Walker) frequently cause problems as do several tropical species including Euproctis stenomorpha Turner. Teia anartiodes Walker can cause minor damage to a wide range of trees and shrubs.