In MOV 6 there are eight species of Abantiades listed for Victoria, and four of the eight have come to the light locally. During a mothing session at Holey Plains State Park in February 2012, three species were recorded, Abantiades hyalinatus, latipennis, and magnificus. The first image is of hyalinatus and latipennis on the sheet together, giving an indication of the size difference.
Three images now of male A. hyalinatus, the Mustard Ghost Moth, followed by a large plain female.
Male.
Male.
Male showing eye catching hind wings and body colour.
Female.
This moth varies in colour, and sometimes the white markings can be reduced or absent. (MOV6) Several came to the light in Providence Ponds Flora and Fauna Reserve in March 2016, including a male with plain fore wings. The main flight times are from January to April.
Male.
Male.
Male with plain wings.
But back to Holey Plains and Abantiades latipennis, the Brown Ghost Moth, it flies from January to April and is prevalent in wet forests. Although Holey Plains is mainly a sandy area, the light was set up on this occasion close to a soak and string of waterholes.
A. magnificus, the Magnificent Ghost Moth, in contrast prefers heathland, so both species had their preferred habitat close to the light, the two main flight months are February and March.
Abantiades labyrinthicus, the Labyrinthine Ghost Moth is another species of wet forests, and Gladstone Creek south of Mount Moornapa supports this type of vegetation due to the higher than average rainfall south of the ridge. A gully leading down from Moornapa to the creek contains rain forest vegetation clearly visible in this Google Earth image. A session beside the creek in February 2016 saw a number of this striking moth come in to the light, main flight months are January to March.
Click images to enlarge.
References and further reading,
Moths of Victoria Vol. 6.