### Identification The Tiled Picture-wing (*Addaea subtessellata*) is a masterclass in understated elegance. With a wingspan of approximately 20–24mm, this moth is easily recognized by its "tessellated" or checkered appearance. The wings are a warm, toasted cinnamon or ochre, overlaid with an intricate lattice of fine, dark brown intersecting lines that resemble a delicate net or a tiled floor. Its forewings are strikingly geometric, featuring a nearly rectangular shape with a slightly hooked (falcate) tip. To distinguish it from the similar *Addaea polyphoralis*, look for the uniformity of its "tiles"—*A. subtessellata* lacks the large, dark discal blotches often found in its relatives, maintaining a more consistent, screen-like pattern across the wing surface.
### Habitat & Range This species is a quintessential resident of the Australian East Coast. It thrives in the humid, lush environments of Queensland and New South Wales, particularly within rainforest margins and wet sclerophyll forests. You are most likely to spot them in the dappled shade of the understory, where the humidity remains high and the vegetation is dense.
### Behaviour By day, this moth is a ghost. It rests with its wings held flat against the underside of a leaf, its cryptic coloration blending seamlessly with dried foliage or bark. If disturbed, it performs a short, erratic flight before vanishing back into the shadows. At night, it becomes active and is frequently drawn to artificial light sources near forest edges. Observers may notice its distinct resting posture: it often tilts its body slightly, breaking its symmetry to better mimic a fallen leaf fragment.
### Diet As an adult, the Tiled Picture-wing likely feeds on nectar to sustain its nocturnal flights. However, the real "engine" of the species is the larva. The caterpillars are specialist herbivores, often found on the Cheese Tree (*Glochidion ferdinandi*). They are industrious leaf-rollers, using silk to curl a leaf edge into a protective tube where they can feed in safety.
### Fascinating Fact The family name for these moths, *Thyrididae*, comes from the Greek word *thyris*, meaning "window." While *A. subtessellata* relies on its tiled pattern for camouflage, many of its closest cousins have evolved tiny, unscaled "window panes" in their wings that are completely transparent, allowing light to pass through and making the moth virtually invisible against a complex forest background!