Lichen-Eating Creatures In Australia: Who's Dining Down Under?

Lichens are symbiotic organisms composed of fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. They are eaten by a variety of animals, including invertebrates and vertebrates. Invertebrates known to eat lichens include moth larvae, the intertidal isopod Campecopea hirsuta, and web-spinners. Among vertebrates, reindeer and caribou are known to eat lichens, especially during winter when lichens are their major food source. Lichens are also consumed by humans in some parts of the world, including India, the Middle East, Niger, and Northern Europe.

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Lichen-eating invertebrates in Australia include moths, caterpillars, and crabs

Moths and caterpillars are among the most common lichen-eating invertebrates in Australia. Lichen moths (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae) are a unique species that feeds primarily on lichens. They are found all over the world, but most Australian species are endemic, meaning they are only found in Australia. Common species in the Sydney region include the banded lichen moth (*Eutane terminalis*), the Lydia lichen moth (*Asura lydia*), and the diminutive footman (*Scoliacma nana*). Lichen moth caterpillars are typically dark-colored with clumps of black spiny hairs and often have tufts on their backs. Adult lichen moths can be recognized by their distinctive wing coloration and the way they hold their wings, often rolled around their abdomens.

In addition to moths and caterpillars, crabs have also been observed consuming lichen in Australia. During fieldwork on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, the Australian lichenologist Patrick McCarthy witnessed a mature crab eating the lichen *Ramalina dumeticola*. The crab held the lichen in one claw and a leaf in the other, delicately eating both. This observation highlights the diverse range of invertebrates that utilize lichens as a food source.

Lichens are also consumed by various vertebrate species, including reindeer and caribou, which are well-known for eating lichens in the Arctic regions. Lichens are a crucial food source for these animals during the winter months, providing them with the energy they need to survive. However, lichens are low in protein and certain minerals, which can lead to deficiencies in the animals that rely on them as a primary food source.

Overall, moths, caterpillars, and crabs are just a few examples of the diverse range of lichen-eating invertebrates found in Australia, each playing their unique role in the ecosystem.

Reindeer and caribou eat lichens in Australia and other countries

Reindeer and caribou are possibly the best-known lichen eaters. They eat terrestrial or arboreal lichens, especially in the winter months when lichens are their major food source. They will dig through the snow to reach the lichens, consuming 3 to 5 kilograms of lichen per day. Lichens are low in protein and poor in minerals, so reindeer and caribou may show symptoms of mineral deficiency by the end of winter. They have been found to eat lichens within these genera: Alectoria, Bryoria, Cetraria, Cladina, Evernia, Flavocetraria, Hypogymnia, Stereocaulon, Umbilicaria, and Usnea. Cladina and Bryoria are their preferred food sources.

Reindeer lichens, also known as reindeer moss, are a primary food source for reindeer and caribou. They are composed of a fungus and an alga living together in a symbiotic relationship. The fungus provides a protective substrate and absorbs water and minerals from the air, while the alga produces food energy through photosynthesis. Reindeer lichens are slow-growing, only reaching 0.2 to 0.4 inches per year, but they tend to live a long time—over 100 years on average. They are found in the Arctic tundra and Canadian boreal forest and also grow on mountain summits and in alpine areas in the Northeast, such as New Hampshire's Presidential Range.

In addition to reindeer and caribou, several other species have been observed eating lichens. This includes North American and Eurasian deer species, goats, musk oxen, lemmings, voles, marmots, squirrels, camels, llamas, and guanacos. In Australia, lichens are the preferred food for species of the web-spinner genus Notoligotoma, which builds intricate silken galleries across lichen colonies. Lichen moths, which are found all over the world, are also common lichen eaters in Australia.

Lichen is used as a spice and flavour enhancer in India, the Middle East, and Niger

In Australia, lichen is consumed by a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates. Lichen moths, for example, are found all over the world, and their caterpillars are known to feed on lichens. In Australia, common species of lichen moth include the banded lichen moth Eutane terminalis, Manulea replana, the Lydia lichen moth Asura lydia, and the diminutive footman Scoliacma nana.

Lichen is also used as a spice and flavour enhancer in India, the Middle East, and Niger. In these regions, lichens such as Parmotrema reticulatum (= Rimelia reticulata), Ramalina conduplicans, and Parmotrema tinctorum are dehydrated and used as ingredients in spice mixes like garam masala, kaala masala, and goda masala. Parmotrema perlatum, also known as black stone flower or kalpasi, is another lichen variety used as a spice in Indian cuisine, particularly in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is described as having an earthy fragrance and taste when cooked in oil or butter, despite being nearly tasteless on its own.

In addition to its culinary uses, ethnolichenology reveals that lichens have been employed for various purposes by human cultures worldwide. One notable application is in the production of dyes, with brown, yellow, red, and purple lichen dyes being used extensively in textiles and art. Lichens have also been utilised in traditional medicine, cosmetics, and even in the embalming process by ancient Egyptians, who valued their preservative and aromatic qualities. Furthermore, lichens are a source of fermentable carbohydrates and can be used in alcohol production.

Lichen is edible and has been eaten by humans in various ways in different parts of the world

Lichens are complex organisms that are formed from a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium. They have been consumed by humans for millennia and are known to be a source of nutrition, medicine, and dye.

In China, Umbilicaria esculenta is a primary ingredient in many dishes, while in Finland and Switzerland, the salt of usnic acid from Lobaria spp is commonly used. In the past, Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica) was a staple food in northern Europe and Scandinavia, cooked in various ways, including bread, porridge, pudding, soup, or salad. Similarly, Bryoria fremontii was a significant food source in parts of North America, often pit-cooked.

Lichens are also used as spices and flavor enhancers in India, the Middle East, and Niger. Parmotrema perlatum lichen, for example, is a popular ingredient in many spice mixes, including garam masala, kaala masala, and goda masala. The Limbu and Rai people of the northern Indian subcontinent consider several lichen species a delicacy. In addition, lichens have been used to make beverages such as tea.

Lichens have also been used as a source of dye for clothing and baskets for hundreds of years, with evidence of use by Classical Greek and Roman cultures. The dyes are created through various methods, including fermenting the lichen, simmering it in low-boiling water, or submerging it in ammonia.

While lichens have been consumed and used by humans for various purposes, it is important to exercise caution as not all lichens are edible, and some can be poisonous.

Lichen moths may be good environmental indicators of pollution

Lichens are miniature ecosystems formed from the symbiosis of fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria. They are highly sensitive to air pollution, making them excellent indicators of air quality. Their presence or absence in an environment can reveal the ecological changes caused by air pollution and the impact on the communities that rely on these ecosystems.

Lichen moths (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae) are native to Australia and are found in areas where conditions favour the development of lichen and other encrusting algae. Lichen is a significant food source for these moths, and their larvae are often found feeding on lichens on branches.

For example, the presence of common lichen moth species like the banded lichen moth (Eutane terminalis) and the lydia lichen moth (Asura lydia) in the Sydney region may suggest that the local environment is conducive to lichen growth and relatively free from harmful levels of air pollution. However, the absence or reduced diversity of lichen moth species may indicate otherwise.

Therefore, by studying lichen moth populations and their interactions with lichens, we can gain insights into the environmental health and pollution levels of specific regions.

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