A cooler night with fewer insects to annoy, and a different range of moths to the light. Moths from the Pyralidae family were numerous, including this striking species, Salma pyrastis. The hind wings are orange, slightly visible in the images.

The large cossid Endoxyla encalypti is a regular at this location, they tend to flap around frantically, often upside down, which explains the bald spot.

Two of the three Emeralds that came in, the Bordered Emerald, Eucyclodes buprestaria, the larvae of which feed on Cassytha species, the Dodder Laurels,

and the Cream-fringed Emerald, Chlorocoma melocrossa.

Also from the Geometrinae, Wilson’s Grey, Cyneoterpna wilsoni, the second image shows the under wing markings that are different to the similar C. alpina.

From the Oenochrominae, the Hakea Wine Moth, Oenochroma vinaria. The larvae of this moth feed on plants in the Proteaceae, which in this locality would probably be Grevillea lanigera.

From the Lasiocampinae, the Elusive White-spot, Opsirhina lechriodes. As the name suggests this is a moth that is not often encountered, possibly because it flies mostly in the hours shortly before dawn. On this occasion several were on the wing earlier in the night.

A nice Praxis came in, the Victorian species are at present under review. The Lepidoptera Barcode of Life has the genus in the Catocalinae sub-family of the Noctuidae.

Another moth with a relatively small number of state records is the Halved Tuft-moth,
Acatapaustus metallopa, Nolinae.

Finally, a cup moth from the Limacodidae, Doratifera quadriguttata, the Four Spotted Cup Moth. Hope the id is correct, D. casta is apparently very similar.

All moths photographed on the night can be seen here.

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

Australian Moths.

Lepidoptera Barcode of Life

Click images to enlarge.

 

The first warm night of a cool spring saw the light shining in the Glenmaggie bush block, when moths and a bewildering assortment of other insects responded.

The first moth to the sheet was small, a member of the Tineidae, Moerarchis inconcisella.

Larger moths were soon on the scene, the Common Gum Snout Moth, Entometer fervens, female, Lasiocampinae.

A Streaked Notodontid, Destolmia lineata, Notodontinae, was photographed on the sheet and also on a natural background.

Geometrids came to be well represented, the Pink Arhodia, Arhodia lasiocamparia, female, Oenochrominae.

Chlorocoma MOV Sp. (3), male, Geometrinae.

Also in the Geometrinae, a pristine female Tea-tree Emerald, Aelochroma metarhodata.

Cleora MOV Sp. (2), male, Boarmiinae.

Female.

An attractive Praxis marmarinopa, the Lepidoptera Barcode of Life has it in the Catocalinae sub-family of the Noctuidae.

Another fresh and strongly marked individual, a female Mistletoe Browntail Moth, Nygmia edwardsii, Lymantriidae. MOV 2 Second Edition notes “This moth is quite variable and probably represents a complex of species.”

Larvae of the Picture-winged Leaf Moth feed on foliage of plants in the Myrtacaea, including eucalypts, this adult is a particularly deeply coloured example. Aglaopus pyrrhata, Thyrididae.

Beautiful moths come in small sizes too, like this 14 mm Oecophorid which must for the moment remain anonymous.

All moths photographed on the night can be seen here.

References and further reading,
Moths of Victoria Vols. 1,2,4.
Australian Moths.

Click images to enlarge.