Visits to the garden at night recently have been notable for a whirling of moths around the flowering Callistemons and Leptospermum macrocarpum. Bogong Moths, Agrotis infusa, have been building up their body fat reserves to tide them over their summer aestivation in the cool rocky shelters in the mountains. Other species have been nectaring too, Helicoverpa punctigera for example, and lately, small geometrids have been getting on in the act. Here is a selection of photos of moths nectaring taken over several nights, the Bogongs were scarce on the last occasion suggesting that they are mostly on their way to the high country.
Agrotis infusa, the Bogong Moth.
Helicoverpa punctigera, the Australian Native Budworm.
Scopula rubraria, the Reddish Wave, pale form.
Click to enlarge.
