In the past the native garden has produced a wide variety of moths, but lately for some unknown reason that hasn’t been the case. However it is still worth the effort occasionally, and a session held recently saw a small number come to the light, a few of which follow. The first was a very fresh and quite beautiful Pyralid, Endotricha pyrosalis.
Only two species of Geometrid appeared, one being a male Gastrina cristaria.
Proteuxoa sanguinipuncta is a common Noctuid to the light, the larvae feed on grasses and can be a minor pasture pest. The adult moth though is very striking and always worth a photo.
The small timber moth Tymbophora peltastis was featured in the post on the Xyloryctidae, two came in on this occasion, note the upturned palps, a feature of timber moths.
The most spectacular moth to come in was a Convolvulus Hawk Moth, Agrius convolvuli. As the name suggests, the larvae feed on plants in the Convolvulaceae family. After fluttering around for quite some time it finally settled on the sheet, and when packing up for the night it was carefully relocated to a nearby Grevillea Robyn Gordon.
Click to enlarge.