Moth surveying away from home has been on hold due to inclement weather and cool temperatures, while sessions at home have been poor with only one moth photographed on the last occasion. So, with a suitable night before the next front was due to arrive, the gear was set up in the tall timber. Moths were not in large numbers, but there was a nice variety, with one record of particular interest. The “plain” form of Destolmia lineata, (Notodontidae) has been fairly regular over the years and several came in on this occasion.

Moths of Victoria  Vol. 2 notes that “more heavily marked forms come to the light less frequently, and are more often recorded from the east of the state”. MOV 2 also notes that “further analysis of the various forms may lead to separation into different species in the future” On this night two individuals with matching dark streaks came in, here is one.

Praxis, (Erebidae) is an interesting genus, variable, with undescribed species, and more research required. Two came in, both probably referable to MOV Praxis sp (2).

Porela delineata is an attractive small Lasiocampid.

Four Helena Gum-moths came in, all males, three quite tattered showing they had been on the wing for a while, one was in good condition for a photo.

Click here to see more moths from the session.

With Spring well under way, moths coming in from the garden are still low in numbers, which is a concern. Hopefully the reason is the consistently low temperatures we have been experiencing. The first moth to the sheet on this night was a surprise, a female Genduara acedesta. The larvae of this species feed on Cherry Ballart and mistletoe, the latter must have been the host plant in this location.

Painted Clear-winged Snout Moth.

Despite the low numbers a reasonable selection came in, two cup moths,

Pseudanapaea transvestita,

And a nice Doratifera pinguis.

Two Dysbatus species arived, MOV sp (1) which is usual for the site, and this individual that corresponds with illustrations of Dysbatus singularis, a species shown in MOV 5 as occurring in the northwest and northeast of the state but not in Gippsland.

A number of common Noctuids came in including two Rhapsa suscitatalis.

Two small Geometrids, a Red-spotted Delicate, Epicyme rubropunctaria.

And a Filata Moth, Chloroclystis filata.

Hypobapta diffundens, a regular visitor to the light.

As is the variable Spilosoma curvata.

An Oecophorid to conclude, Euchaetis rhizobola.