Swift and Ghost moths (Hepialidae)

Add a sighting Subscribe

Swift and Ghost moths (Hepialidae)

Moderators

MichaelMulvaney

donhe

ibaird

SuziBond

canberrabutterflies

become a moderator

Discussion

ibaird wrote:

5 Jan 2025

I'm wondering whether A eximia (Forest Ghost moth) is not the more likely ID given its strongly south eastern distribution evident on the ALA and on LBH and these images which show specimens with the two isolated black dots with white centres, presumably the female also. see here;-
https://biocache.ala.org.au/occurrences/61a7e442-eed7-40ea-9249-1e01170d45ec
https://biocache.ala.org.au/occurrences/a3d76c87-cadd-4330-9825-523872ee7d88
A. blackburni apparently (on ALA map evidence) has a more 'dry country' distribution ie western Victoria and in South Australia.

Aenetus eximia

ibaird wrote:

4 Jan 2025

I found it hard to match this one to a particular species. Agree its an Oncopera (genus) moth (or 'Corby') moth, though., most like O, rufobrunnea I think - althogh noy showing overall brown colour. I suspect these moths often routinely 'play dead' when handled.

Oncopera (genus)

donhe wrote:

3 Jan 2025

Oncopera fasciculatus?

Oncopera (genus)

donhe wrote:

3 Jan 2025

female

Aenetus eximia

ibaird wrote:

13 Dec 2024

I agree the moth is most likely a species in the Aenetus (genus). Going by the pattern of black markings along the costa and the known northern tropical and sub-tropical distrution of the species, I think it unlkely to be A. mirablis. There a reseveral other Aenutus (genus) with known sothern distributions eg. A. eximia and A .blackburni are examples.

Aenetus (genus)