Gippsland Mothing

A chance look outside on a rainy night was rewarded with the sight of lots of moths on the wing around a flowering Callistemon. It was too wet for the camera, so the next night saw the camera and flashlight on the prowl. In addition to the Callistemons, three species of Leptospermum are in blossom and providing nectar, although macrocarpum was the only one popular with moths. Most of the moths partaking were Noctuids with a few small Geometrids also on the scene. It was good to see a Bogong Moth, Agrotis infusa fuelling up for its flight into the mountains, let’s hope it is successful and there are more.

Caught this Southern Armyworm, Persectania ewingii excreting a drop of clear liquid.

Australian Armyworm, Mythimna convecta.

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).