The last night of summer, and the first moth to the sheet was an autumn flying species, Elhamma australasiae, (Hepialidae) a female, followed later by a male.

Another early arrival was a male Circopetes obtusata, (Oenochrominae) demonstrating the descriptive common name of Grey Twisted-moth.

A couple of Geometrids, the Dashed Geometrid, Dissomorphia australiaria (Macariini)

And Amelora MOV sp(7), (Nacophorini)

An Old Lady popped in for a visit, Dasypodia selenophora, (Erebidae)

During several years of mothing, every Anthela acuta to the light, and there have been a lot, has been a male. On this night, at last, a female.

Male, eggs unknown origin.

Most images will enlarge.

The Omeo Gum, Eucalyptus neglecta is a fairly rare species, and Flora of Victoria notes that the crown of mature trees is predominately of juvenile leaves, with some intermediate and adult leaves. For over forty years one has been growing quietly in the garden, never having much attention  paid to it, until moths and other invertebrates became the main camera subjects. The juvenile leaves are tender and glaucous, attractive to many leaf grazing insects, so now this old tree is no longer being neglected. Uraba lugens, the Gum-leaf Skeletoniser is a common moth in the garden, and the Omeo Gum is presently hosting some larvae.

While taking snaps, a small cluster about 10 mm diameter was noticed and photographed. When enlarged on the computer monitor it was apparent they were cup moth larvae, and a search suggests that they are larvae of Doratifera vulnerans, the Mottled Cup Moth, not long hatched.

Two days later they had spread out and were feeding and growing in size, they will be kept under observation and photographed as they develop.

And on a nearby leaf, something else, a batch of eggs.

Identity is completely unknown at this stage, we’ll be keeping watch.

Click to enlarge.