Gladstone Creek drains the country south of Mount Moornapa, as may have been mentioned previously, and the vegetation is tall forest with an understory along the creek of species including Pomaderris aspera, Prostanthera lasianthos, and Elaeaocarpus reticulatus to name just three of the most obvious. Many mothing sessions have been conducted there, and it is always interesting to observe the same species from this particular vegetation mix come to the light in season. There is though, always the possibility of something new and/or out of the ordinary turning up, and that was the case on this outing. This time of the year inevitably sees many Elhamma australasiae (Hepialidae) come in, this male was photographed away from the sheet.
Austroterpna sp. (1) (Geometrinae) has been an uncommon local record, although MOV 4 notes that it is widespread in forested areas. At the moment a specific name has not been able to be allocated with certainty.
Emeralds are always nice to see, also from the Geometrinae is this female Chlorocoma carenaria, the aptly named Veined Emerald.
Staying with Geometrids but moving into the Oenochrominae, this is a very fresh female Dichromodes mesogonia, the Banded Heath Moth.
And at the other end of the size scale, Monoctenia sp. (1), a first record here.
Taxeotis species are common in the forested areas, this unusual specimen of the variable Taxeotis sp. (1) was a good find. Its tattered left side wings were digitally repaired for the image.
Arrade destituta, the Cryptic Snout, is a tiny Noctuid in the Hypeninae.
Smaller still is this Thema endesma, (Oecophorinae) spotted and photographed on a Pomaderris leaf close to the light.
Also tiny, Crocanthes micradelpha, (Lecithoceridae)
Another uncommonly encountered moth, the Tiny Tussock Moth, Oligeria hemicalla, (Lymantriidae) a male, females are flightless.
Finally one of the many Hednota, (Crambinae) H. opulentellus.
All moths photographed on the night can be seen here.
Click to enlarge.
References and further reading,
M Hewish, P. Marriott,
MOV, Volumes 2, 4, 6, 8.