A mild night with a light sprinkle of rain saw the light shining for the first time this spring. A reasonable number of moths came in from the garden and beyond, with an unusual number of carrion beetles, Ptomaphila lacrimosa also on the job. The most numerous species were Spilosoma curvata and Melanodes anthracitaria, several of each coming in. Following is a selection of the night’s  visitors.

The Chevron Cutworm, Diarsia intermixta.

The Australian Cabbage Looper, Chrysodeixis subsidens.

A spectacular little Oecophorid, Arachnographa micrastrella, first for the site.

The Cream Wave, Scopula perlata, a strongly marked individual.

The Pome Looper, Chloroclystis testulata, white-patched form.

The Black-banded Wedge-moth, Capusa senilis.

The Streaked Notodontid, Destolmia lineata.

The Ring-tipped Bark Moth, Syneora hemeropa, male. When Moths of Victoria Volume 7 was published, Victorian specimen data numbered just three. Since that time males and females of the species have come to the light from the garden, suggesting that there is a resident population. A bush record has also been made recently.

A session at home on a mild night saw the Heliotrope Moth, Utetheisa pulchelloides come to the light in abundance.

Geometrids were scarce with just one Crypsiphona ocultaria, and one Emerald, Chlorocoma carenaria coming in, and later, two Thalaina selenaea also joined the party.

Veined Emerald, Chlorocoma carenaria

Orange-rimmed Satin Moth, Thalaina selenaea.

Two Pink Browntail Moths, Urocoma baliolalis came in, and interestingly, played dead when we attempted to move them to more photogenic positions for snaps.

A small variety of Noctuids were the other most numerous, with one most uncommon species, a pristine Thysanoplusia orichalcea the highlight. This goes by the common name of Slender Burnished Brass, and with the torch light illuminating the moth at the right angle, the hind wings shone like polished metal. Unfortunately this did not appear in the many lateral photos taken, but the dorsal view gives a glimpse of the metallic wing marking. MOV 9 notes that the first Australian records were from Queensland and NSW in the mid 1970s, and it has since gradually spread south. Also noted is that the metallic wing scales change in colour from gold to green depending on the viewing angle.