AN UNDESCRIBED CONCEALER MOTH, STATHMOPODA SP. (LEPIDOPTERA: OECOPHORIDAE) IN NESTS OF THE WEAVER ANT POL YRHACHIS A USTRALIS MAYR (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

摘要

A concealer moth, genus Stathmopoda Hemch-Schaffer, 1853, closely resembling one known from Hervey Bay, Queensland and Coonabarabran, New South Wales but as yet undescribed, was found in nests of the weaver ant Polyrhachis australis Mayr, 1870 in Townsville, Queensland The weaver ant nests provide the moth larvae with shelter and perhaps food in the form of dead leaves and/or the brood of the host ants. What deters the ants from attacking the moth larvae is unknown, as is the mechanism allowing the eclosed adult moths to exit the ants' nests unharmed.