TORTRICIDAE of Australia
Bell Moths, Leaf Rollers
TORTRICOIDEA

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

(updated 14 April 2009)

Some members of this family are called Bell Moths because the outline of the wings in the natural posture of the adult moth resembles the silhouette of a church bell. Others are called Leaf Rollers because the Caterpillars of many species roll the leaves of their foodplant, joining it together with silk, and live and pupate within this leafy shelter. Some tunnel into flower spikes, fruit, or galls. The Caterpillars in general are small with soft smooth skins and fine sparse hairs. They often wriggle backward when disturbed, trying to withdraw into any available crevice. They are also very inclined to drop on a silken thread.

Todd Gilligan has published images on the web of the adult moths of over 2,000 species of moths in this family from all over the world, including Australia.

Some notable members of the 1,230 named Australian species of TORTRICIDAE are listed here in three subfamilies.