This session took place in forest predominately of tall Red Box, E. polyanthemos. Every session is different, and on this occasion there were more Uraba lugens in to the light than previously observed in many years of mothing. The variety of moths was not great but the emphasis turned out to be quality, not quantity. Just over twelve months ago a male Elusive White Spot, Opsirhina lechriodes came in not far away, an early arrival on this occasion was a very worn female of this uncommon species.
Two female Boisduval’s Autumn Moths, Oenosandra boisduvalii were nice to see.
Another uncommon moth, a male Lithilaria proestans, first recorded in this part of Gippsland in 2011 and showing up at the light very occasionally since then. As can be seen in the images the palpi of the male are very long and curve back over the head and reach the end of the thorax.
The next moth is certainly out of the ordinary, there are only two records from Victoria on Inat, from Mallacoota and Merrijig. It is Eucymatoge peplodes, the Peplodes Carpet.
Another moth that has only recently started to appear in this area, the Ring-tipped Bark Moth, Syneora hemeropa, a male.
A beautiful arrival, the Bright Twisted-moth, Parepisparis lutosaria, female.
To be continued.
