Moths Of Autumn #5

A new record for the garden location, another of the bark moths, Psilosticha attacta, the Bold-waved Bark Moth, (Boarmiinae) MOV Vol. 7 notes that the transverse wing lines can be smudged, and that is the case with this individual. It also notes that the antennae in both sexes are thread-like, with pectination lacking in the male.

Moths in the Chlenias banksiaria group (Nacophorini) are frequent at this time of year, this male landed and stayed with wings spread, instead of the more normal folded aspect. The wing colour and pattern are typical of moths from this location.

Paralaea beggaria (Nacophorini) was also a new record for the garden location.

Peppermint Looper Moth.

At a a recent bush outing a number of Smyriodes trigramma came to the light, all males. On this night two females came in, much plainer than the males.

Stippled Line-moth.

Two more Geometrids, Chlorocoma stereota, (Geometrinae)

White-lined Emerald.

And Chloroclystis filata, (Larentiinae)

Filata Moth.

A different Noctuid on this night, Neumichtis spumigera.

Green Cutworm.

And a Crambid, Hygraula nitens, the Pond Moth, larvae of this species live under water feeding on underwater vegetation. Interesting information here.

Horizontal shots will enlarge.

A Chance Find.

While checking out the garden tree trunks for anything of interest, this was spotted.

It is of course a Psychid case where the male moth has pupated and vacated his home. Removing the bark flake showed how he tucked himself away behind the loose bark for safety while he pupated, then emerged leaving the empty pupal case visible.

His case is interesting in that he covered it with grains of sand, instead of plant matter or detritus as usually found around the garden.

Click to enlarge.