Barea phaeomochla (Barea phaeomochla)

Barea phaeomochla specimens are small and dark but have several semi-distinct dark bars on the forewing.  The area adjacent to the costa between the bars closest to the apex is lighter than the rest of the wing, and often presents as a blurred white patch. There are many records from the south coast and southern tablelands. 

Barea zygophora is a little larger and has a series of dark spots and patches that could be be interpreted as irregular dark bars, but it is not as distinctly barred as B. phaeomochla.  It is lighter overall than B. phaeomochla, particularly inside the costa in between the “bars” and towards the apex. The light patch towards the apex is quite similar to the white patch on B. phaeomochla referred to above.  This moth seems to be more coastal then B. phaeomochla. 

There are at least two other similar species: B. subviridella and B. lithoglypta.  Both are larger, coastal,  and have bars that are more contrasting with the background lighter colour