New Site #1.

This moth survey, the first of an on-going series, was held in an area of privately owned foothill forest that is unspoiled by fire or human activity, and managed for conservation. Habitat such as this is very hard to find in this day and age, and is of vital significance for both vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. It acts as a reservoir of species that can spread out and re-colonise other areas recovering after fire or other disturbance. This survey was held in an area of open bush, future visits will take place in denser habitat with slightly different vegetation profiles. Being autumn it was expected that Hepialids would be flying in, but strangely this was not the case. Early arrivals were small moths, with an unusual number of Asura lydia coming in during the night, larvae are lichen feeders.

Among the first larger moths to arrive were Discophlebia celaena, (Oenosandridae)

Male.

Female showing a lot of brown colour and strong black markings.

Among the small moths there were quite a few Footmen including one Scoliacma nana, the Diminutive Footman. Although not uncommon this was a first record.

Another first record was Stibaroma MOV sp(2) (Nacophorini) Two early records were from Noorinbee and Yackandandah, and in 2015 it was recorded at Fairy Dell, north of Wiseleigh. Several individuals came to the light so there must be a substantial population at this site sixty kilometres further west. Not all in the species have the pale cream markings, but it appears to be quite common here.

Males.

Female.

Most images will enlarge, to be continued.
References and further reading, Moths of Victoria, Volumes 2, 5.

The Autumn Gum Moth.

In a recent post, this batch of anonymous eggs discovered on a glaucous leaf of the garden Omeo Gum, Eucalyptus neglecta, was featured.

They were subsequently identified on Twitter by entomologist and Associate Professor Martin J Steinbauer, who had researched the species, Mnesampela privata, and its preferred foliage on which to lay. Here is a link to the very interesting findings. A watch on the eggs was meant to be kept, but unfortunately the hatching was missed, here are two shots showing the empty eggs and where the hatchlings have been feeding.

Further examination of the foliage resulted in four more batches of these tiny .5 mm eggs being found, including this one, about which Martin commented “Interesting… Clear eggs = hatched, pale green = infertile, black eggs = parasitised and others = yet to hatch. Suggests good parasitoid activity” The newly hatched larvae can be seen starting to feed on the surface of the leaf.

A visit was then made to Don Herbison-Evans’ excellent site, where further information and identification details are documented. The id details of brown heads and two yellow dots can just be made out on these first instars. The moth light and sheet were rigged on a good night in the hope of seeing the adult moth, and at 9.30 PM a rather tattered female duly arrived.

A male also came in but was too elusive to be photographed. Although one can’t be sure that this is the female that laid the eggs it is more than likely, and as a reward for her hard work some plastic surgery has been performed on her wings to restore her to her full glory…..

Many thanks to Associate Professor Steinbauer for his help and information.

Click images to enlarge.