Diversity description:

The Anthelidae form a small family of moths restricted to Australia, New Guinea and the adjacent Aru archipelago. At present the family comprises 74 species in 8 genera described from Australia (Edwards and Fairey 1996) and 20 species from new Guinea in one endemic genus and one genus shared with Australia. However, numerous distinct species have already been identified as undescribed in museum collections such as the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC). The large genus Anthela comprises 80% of all described species, but a taxonomic revision at the genus level by the author is in preparation. The vast majority of species belongs to the subfamily Anthelinae, while the Munychryiinae include only three described species in two genera.

Geographic Range:

Australian

Geographic Range description:

Anthelidae occur very widely in Australia, including the interior as well as mountains in Tasmania, and have been recorded from many different habitats, e.g., native grasslands, coastal heath, alpine swamps, dry sclerophyll forests, rainforests, and semi-arid to arid areas. Most of the few non-Australian records refer to the island of New Guinea, where Anthelidae have been recorded from both Papua [formerly known as Irian Jaya] and Papua New Guinea. One species (probably Anthela brunneilinea Hulstaert, 1924) is known from the Aru archipelago, while records from the Indonesian islands of Kai (Hulstaert 1924; type locality of A. brunneilinea), Makian (Walker 1866; type locality of A. prima Walker 1866), Sulawesi (Day et al. 1953), from the Australian Lord Howe Island (Swinhoe 1892) and from the South African Cape of Good Hope (Felder and Rogenhofer 1874; type locality of Chelepteryx chalepteryx Felder 1874-75) are most probably erroneous.

Color:

Chorion usually whitish (Common 1990), occasionally translucent (Lemaire and Minet 1998), and sometimes with darker mottling or other patterns (Common 1990).

Texture:

smooth

Orientation:

flat

Egg mass pattern:

Eggs are deposited singly (Common 1990), or often in small groups or rows (some grass-feeding species, e.g., A. euryphrica) on the host plant.

Description of egg morphology:

Broadly oval, with micropyle located at the broader end (Common 1990).

Larval head description:

Head hypognathous, and the frontoclypeus extends about half-way to the epicranial notch; six stemmata; well sclerotized and often pigmented (Common 1990). Head capsule of all Anthelidae with a pale area laterally of the lateral adfrontal sutures, often including the frons (synapomorphy). The pale area is relatively narrow in Munychryia senicula and not very distinct to absent in the genus Pterolocera, but it is very obvious and often enlarged in other Anthelidae. The pale area is typically of roughly triangular shape, narrowing dorsally, and often appears as a vertical stripe. The head capsule of many, if not all, Anthelinae carries numerous secondary setae.

Secondary setae:

present

Body setae on verrucae:

present, absent

Body setae on chalazae:

absent

Body setae on scoli:

absent

Larval body description:

The body of Munychryiinae carries minute primary and secondary setae, which are club-shaped (Common and McFarland 1970; Common 1990); due to the size of the hairs, the larvae appear superficially to be devoid of hairs; no verrucae. In contrast, larvae of Anthelinae are, oftentimes densely, clothed in secondary hairs, many of which are barbed, plumose or spine-like (Lemaire and Minet 1998); some species (e.g., A. guenei), have dense "cushions" of aposematically coloured, very short, apically tri-furcate hairs. All antheline caterpillars have an integument scattered with minute vesicles (synapomorphy of the subfamily), that are very firmly attached to the cuticle and filled with a liquid organic substance; the function of these vesicles is unknown, but likely to be defence related.

Spinneret:

present

Larval thorax description:

Oftentimes patterened. In Munchryiinae, the thoracic tibiae have a large, membranous apical lobe on the inner side, extending beyond the end of the tarsi; prothoracic legs longer than others (Common and McFarland 1970; Common 1990).

Thoracic glands:

absent

Thoracic legs:

present

Larval abdomen description:

D2 larger than D1 (synapomorphy of Anthelinae; no verrucae in Munychryiinae). A1 with only D2 pair, A2-A7 with D1 and D2 pairs, A8 with a single merged, middorsal D verruca (Lemaire and Minet 1998); D2 of A1 carries a distinct tuft or brush of hairs in many species (e.g., Chenuala heliaspis, Anthela basigera, A. acuta, A. reltoni); in the species group of A. ocellata and relatives, also A2-7 carry such a pair of hair brushes on the D2 verrucae. Prolegs of Munychryiinae with dark, undivided SV sclerite; prolegs of Anthelinae with SV sclerite that is divided by a median, membranous strip. In Munchryiinae, the anal prolegs form a triangular to finger-shaped posterior process.

Abdominal glands:

absent

Abdominal prolegs:

present

Proleg configuration:

normal

Proleg size:

long

Crochets:

uniserial

Crochet arrangement description:

First instar larvae of Munychryiinae lack crochets, later instars have uniordinal crochets in a mesoseries (Common and McFarland 1970; Common 1990). First instar larvae of Anthelinae with uniordinal crochets, later instars with biordinal crochets in mesoseries (Common 1990).

Anal comb on A10:

absent

Pupa type:

obtect

Pupa description:

Pupae are typically stout and well sclerotized; appendages fused to each other and to the body; maxillary palpi absent, proboscis reaches wing tips (Munychryia) or is represented by a pair of lobes (Anthelinae); antennae reach three quarters to two thirds of the distance to the wing tips; labial palpi exposed (Munychryia) or largely concealed (Anthelinae) (Common 1990).

Pupal tergal spines:

absent

Spines as modified cremaster:

present, absent

Cremaster:

absent

Cocoon:

present

Cocoon description:

The cocoon of all Anthelidae has two layers (synapomorphy), a smooth inner layer and an outer layer that incorporates larval hairs (if present), which in some species radiate from the cocoon (e.g., Chelepteryx collesi, Anthela nicothoe, A. asciscens). Cocoons are spun to the trunk, branches or leaves of the host plant, or occasionally suspended from a silken stalk (A. stygiana). However, larvae of several species are known to wander around (e.g., Chelepteryx collesi, A. nicothoe, A. varia) and to spin cocoons in sheltered places like crevices, against rocks and logs or, in urban areas, in buildings and mail boxes. In the genus Pterolocera, pupation occurs in a double-walled cocoon with an exit tube in the soil.

Reproductive system:

Ditrysian

Oviscapt (ovipositor):

non-piercing

Female genitalia description:

Anthelinae: Lamella antevaginalis at right angle to body axis, synscleritous with lamella postvaginalis and with ostium bursae in dorsal half. Antrum sclerotized, remaining part of ductus bursae membranous and short; corpus bursae moderately developed and without a signum. Ductus seminalis about midway between antrum and corpus bursae, and without bulla seminalis. Common duct of accessory glands set off from and at right angle to accessory gland reservoir. Munychryiinae: A protruding sclerotization, which might be a part of the lamella postvaginalis, forms a tube that protrudes at an angle posteriad from the ventral side of the body. This extension has an apical opening in the plane of the ventral side of the body. However, the actual ostium bursae, which is indicated by a sclerotized collar, and the antrum are roughly in line with the body axis as in Anthelinae. Antrum well sclerotized; remaining part of ductus bursae membranous, rather long and coiled. Corpus bursae distinctly larger than in Anthelinae and with a weakly sclerotized signum. Common duct of accessory glands set off from and at right angle to accessory gland reservoir.

Female corethrogyne:

absent

Female pregenital sexual scales:

absent

Female accessory glands:

one pair

Female oviduct opening:

in cloaca

Female bursa ostium opening:

on venter 8

Female anterior apophyses originating:

origination ambiguous

Male coremata:

absent

Male pregenital sexual scales:

absent

Male genitalia description:

Uncus deeply bilobed in most species, but only weekly bilobed or blunt in Munychryiinae; uncus lobes variously tilded ventro-mesad, secondarily and convergently fused in several genera, e.g., *Pseudodreata* (dorsally fused) and *Pterolocera* (ventrally fused). Gnathos typically strongly reduced, but well developed in *Chelepteryx*. Gnathos fused with dorsal extension of valva ("transtilla"). Dorsal half of mesal side of valva forms sclerotized, setose process that is often reduced or fused to juxta. Valva with a distinct clasper in some taxa, but often broad and simple; apex occasionally flexed outwards; dorso-basal part of mesal side often modified to form a secondary protrusion. Juxta typically strongly protruding posteriad, but variously reduced in taxa with alternative support of the phallus, e.g., *Chelepteryx* (entirely sclerotized phallocrypt) and *Pseudodreata* (phallus suspended from gnathos). Phallus with a well developed vesica in Munychryiinae and a few Anthelinae, but typically appears to be absent due to secondary sclerotizations that can form a prominent spine; cornuti absent, except for some Munychryiinae. Tegumen and vinculum well sclerotized and fused, with vinculum typically forming a well developed saccus.

Sternum 5 gland:

absent

Adult abdomen description:

Abdominal segment A1 with a lateral, spine-shaped projection. Spine typically well developed in males, but absent in most females, except for an undescribed munychryiine species.

Male has:

only phallotheca

Scale tufts:

absent

Epiphysis:

present

Forelegs:

normal

Wing venation??description:

In both sexes, the forewing radius sector has a sclerotized, oblique cross-fold between Rs2 and Rs1 (family autapomorphy), which extends as far as R in *Munychryia* and *Gephyroneura*. In addition, a sclerotization between or local touching of Rs2 and Rs3 distal of the cross-fold forms an areole (family autapomorphy), which is not homologous with the superficially similar areole of many Lymantriidae.

Wing venation:

heteroneurous

Forewing anal vein notation:

1A+2A with short basal fork

Forewing chorda:

areole

Forewing upper surface with microtrichia:

absent

Hindwing anal vein notation:

1A+2A, no basal fork

Hindwing cell vein:

absent

Wing coupling:

with frenulum

Wing scales:

hollow

Forewing description:

With a retinaculum in males, absent in females.

Hindwing description:

With a frenulum in males, reduced to the base in females.

Counter-tympanum:

absent

Abdomen tympanum:

absent

Thorax tympanum:

absent

Palp tympanum:

absent

Ocelli:

absent

Eyes:

smooth, hairy

Labial palpus:

porrect, upcurved

Maxillary palpus:

minute

Proboscis:

present, absent

Fluted sensilla styloconia on proboscis:

present

Proboscis texture:

naked

Proboscis description:

The proboscis is well developed in the genus Munychryia, but absent in all other Munychryiinae and Anthelinae.

Mandibles:

absent

Head vertex scaling:

normal

Female antennae:

bipectinate, filiform, serrate

Female flagellomere description:

In Anthelidae, the principle structure of the male and female flagellum is the same, with each flagellomere having a pair of lateral rami and a meso-ventral sensory process with a styliform sensillum complex. These structures are variously reduced in females, and depending on the degree of reduction, the flagellum appears superficially as shortly tri- or bipectinate, serrate or even (almost) filiform.

Male antennae:

bipectinate

Male flagellomere description:

The male flagellum appears tri- or bipectinate to the apex, with each flagellomere having a pair of well developed to long lateral rami and long to rudimentary meso-ventral sensory process with a styliform sensillum complex.

Basiconium:

numerous

Auricillium:

present

Sensillum vesiculocladum:

absent

Asciod sensilla:

absent

General antennae description:

The antennae are at most two thirds of the fore wing's length long and typically appear distinctly bipectinate in males, with a particularly well developed meso-ventral sensory cone giving a tripectinate appearance in some taxa, e.g., *Pterolocera*. The dorsal side of the antenna is scaled to the apex.

Apomorphies:

Forewing with a "cross-fold" that connects Rs2 and Rs1.  Formation of an areole by a sclerotization between (or the local touching of) Rs2 and Rs3 in the forewing.  Triangular pale frontal area of the caterpillar head capsule.  Construction of a double-walled cocoon

Larval behavior:

diurnal, nocturnal

Adult behavior:

diurnal, nocturnal

Adult behavior:

The majority of Anthelidae is nocturnal, but males of the Tasmanian Anthela connexa are (also) diurnal (Common 1990). Specimens at rest hold their wings either flat and in some cases partly opened over their abdomen (Anthelinae), or roof-like (Munychryiinae). While females are, as in many other Bombycoidea, rather poor fliers and don't move much until after the copula, males of most species are fast and erratic fliers.

Pupa life history description:

For most anthelid species, the pupal stage lasts at least throughout summer, but pupae of some species are known to have the potential to remain dormant for years. In the genus Pterolocera, emergence seems to be triggered by the first rains (and/or possibly drop in temperature) in autumn.

Larval food items include:

Casuarina (Casuarinaceae).  Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae).  Acacia (Mimosaceae).  grasses (Poaceae).  Cassia (Caesalpiniaceae).  Exocarpos (Santalaceae).  Many other plants less commonly, e.g., Solanaceae, Asteraceae and exotic Pinaceae.

Larval food habits description:

External, exposed feeders of leaves.

Description of egg life history:

For many anthelid species, larvae hatch after two to three weeks, but some species (e.g., Chelepteryx collesi and Pterolocera spp.) overwinter as eggs.

Adult food habits description:

The proboscis is strongly reduced to lost in almost all species. A well developed proboscis is only present in the genus Munychryia (Munychryiinae), yet it is unknown if adults are nectar feeding or not (Common 1990).

Life history adult:

As typical for non-feeding adults, the life span of most Anthelidae is rather short and females emerge with fully developed eggs. Copulation takes place during night, and the female starts laying eggs the same night. Eggs are often deposited in small groups or rows (some grass-feeding species, e.g., A. euryphrica) on the host plant.

Life cycle description:

While adult Anthelidae (e.g., Anthela repleta) can be found throughout most of the year even in temperate regions of Australia, the adults of many species fly only in autumn. In temperate regions, some species overwinter as eggs (e.g., A. euryphrica, Pterolocera spp.), others as pupae (e.g., A. acuta). The larval development has up to seven instars (e.g., A. oressarcha, A. reltoni, A. guenei) and can be rather slow (e.g., Chelepteryx collesi, about six months) or moderately fast (e.g., A. reltoni, about two months). The pupal stage often lasts at least throughout summer.

Systematic and taxonomic history:

Most anthelid species were originally described as Lymantriidae (Noctuoidea) by various authors. Turner recognized the distinctiveness of these species and erected for them the new lymantriid subfamily Anthelinae (Turner 1904), which he subsequently elevated to family level (Turner 1920). Common (1963) pointed out the absence of tympanal organs and on this basis transferred the Anthelidae from Noctuoidea to Bombycoidea (Common 1966, 1970). Since then they have remained in the bombycoid complex, but within it have been transferred from Bombycoidea to Lasiocampoidea by Minet (1991). However, a recent molecular study (Regier et al. 2008) and morphological characters (Zwick, in prep.) very strongly argue for an inclusion of the family within the Bombycoidea. The family is part of a well supported monophylum consisting of Carthaeidae, Endromidae, Mirinidae, Phiditiinae and Prismostictinae (both Bombycidae sensu Minet 1994), but its exact placement within this group remains uncertain.

Fossil record:

No fossils have been recorded for this family.

Collection Sites: world map showing specimen collection locations for Anthelidae

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) Stats
                                                             

Specimen Records:	733
Specimens with Sequences:	712
Specimens with Barcodes:	659
Public Records:	3
Species:	126
Species With Barcodes:	123

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