Overview
Except for the introduced, domesticated, commercial silk worm,
Bombyx
mori
, the most important silk-producing moth, which has so-called 'naked' larvae because the secondary setae are extremely fine, 2 native, Australian species probably belong to this family.
Gastridiota
adoxima
is known from rainforests in southern Qld and northern N.S.W.; the larvae, which have scattered, very short setae and bright yellow spiracles, feed on
Ficus
and pupate in an elongate strong cocoon. One species of
Elachyophtalma
is known from Cape York Peninsula.
Description
Antenna bipectinate to apex in both sexes; proboscis absent; maxillary palps absent; labial palps short; epiphysis present or absent; spurs 0-2-2 or 0-0-0; fore wing with or without retinaculum, R
1
, R
2
and R
3
separate and at least R
2
and R
3
arising successively from stem of R
4+5
, CuP sometimes present; hind wing with functional or reduced frenulum present, dorsum often pleated, somewhat concave, Sc and Rs usually connected by R
1
, CuP often present towards margin. Larva with coarse, secondary setae in early instars, with fine secondary setae (in
Bombyx
) or scattered, short, coarse secondary setae (in
Gastridiota
) when mature; crochets biordinal, simple. Pupa in dense cocoon of silk.