A very calm warm night by Gladstone Creek began with large numbers of scarab beetles, bark cockroaches, and flying ants attracted to the light and generally making things difficult. Luckily moths were slow to arrive, giving the nuisance insects time to wear themselves out and settle on the groundsheet. Geometrids were well represented in the night’s tally, with quite a few Noctuids and the usual complement of smaller moths. The last to come in as pack up time approached was an Emperor Gum moth, Opodiphthera eucalypti. (Saturniidae)

Circopetes obtusata (Oenochrominae) had often been photographed with all individuals being female, but on this night a male arrived. It refused to settle on the sheet but after a lengthy pursuit with the torch it was photographed in a natural setting.

Both species of Bracken Moth, Idiodes apicata and Idiodes siculoides (Boarmiinae, Lithinini) were on the wing, the latter can be identified by the pale strip between the antennae and the pale leading edge of the forewing.

Idiodes apicata.

Idiodes siculoides.

MOV Volume 3 notes that the Black-lined Carpet, Chrysolarentia plagiocausta (Larentiinae) is widespread although not commonly encountered.

The Varied Grey, Hypobapta tachyhalotaria (Geometrinae) is a regular in the area.

Victorian moths in the Praxis genus, (Noctuidae) are under revision at the moment.

Two Anthelids came in, Anthela acuta, and Anthela repleta. Both these species are variable and more than one species may be involved for both. (MOV Volume 1)

Anthela acuta.

Anthela repleta.

A Tuft-moth to conclude, the Inscribed Tuft-moth, Nola phaeogramma, (Nolinae)

All moths photographed on the night can be seen here.

References and further reading,
Moths of Victoria Volumes 1,2,3,4, and 7.

Click images to enlarge.

The first bush mothing session for the new season was held in the red box/ironbark/red stringy forest at Glenmaggie. The evening was calm and mild but gradually cooled down as time progressed. Every occasion has something of interest, and this time it was the considerable numbers of several species that came in to the light. They were Gauna aegusalis, Euchaetis rhizobola, Termessa nivosa, Sorama bicolor, and Iropoca rotundata. And as usual there were interesting new records for the location and the moth-er, the uncommonly seen Nola paroxynta, and an undescribed species of Elesma, Elesma sp(1) (MOV 2)

Nola paroxynta. (Nolinae) The Neat Tuft-moth.

Elesma sp(1) (Nolinae)

Although it’s early in the season a few moths were quite worn, showing they had been on the wing for some time. This emerald though was very fresh.

Chlorocoma sp(5) (MOV 4)

Termessa nivosa, (Lithosiinae) is a bright little moth, quite a few were flitting around.

The Snowy Footman.

The unusual posture of Gauna aegusalis, (Pyralidae) always attracts attention.

The bodies of many moths can be eye catching, though normally hidden in repose. This female Nataxa flavescens obliged with a revealing attitude.

The Nataxa Moth.

Neola semiaurata, (Notodontidae) is a specialty of this long unburnt bush property. Several came in with this one displaying its golden hind wings while perching on the light stand

The Golden Notodontid,

Cyneoterpna wilsoni (Geometrinae) is an attractive moth, this female is also very fresh.

Wilson’s Grey.

As is this female Thallogama destinataria, (Boarmiinae) with its wing fringes intact.

The Dappled Bark Moth.

Another Notodontid, Sorama bicolor is quite common, but usually settles with its wings closed. On this night a number arrived, with many fluttering around giving different photo opportunities.

The Two-coloured Notodontid.

Finally, one of several male Iropoca rotundata, (Lymantriidae) the females have vestigial wings and are flightless.

The Iropoca Moth.

Click images to enlarge.

References and further reading,
Moths of Victoria Volumes 1,2,4,7.

All moths photographed can be seen here.