Acyphas semiochrea
Omnivorous Tussock Moth at Belconnen, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Acyphas semiochrea | ibaird | 16 Feb 2018 | |
| Acyphas semiochrea | GlennCocking | 16 Feb 2018 | |
| Acyphas chionitis | CathB | 12 Feb 2018 |
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User's notes
The lower moth was flying round rapidly and when it settled I saw the other moth and the cocoon.
7 comments
12 Feb 2018
A. chionitis seems a reasonable assumption, even though the orange/yellow terminal tufts on the abdomen are not visible in these photos. Did you see them? There are no black forewing terminal marking which are present in apparently one sex of A. semichroa, although that species is shown on Bold Systems 4 to have primarily a Tasmanian ie. southern distribution (- we have one record on CNM here in Canberra, see the species list).
13 Feb 2018
Once the flying moth landed, neither of them moved. Even though I got quite close while taking photos from different angles, they both kept their wings firmly closed.
16 Feb 2018
Doesn't the lower specimen have the subterminal black forewing mark often found on semiochrea? That species is quite widespread, not just Tasmania. I'll post a new comment on the report currently identified as A, chionits shortly.
16 Feb 2018
Yes, a second look at Part 2 MoV confirms that in males of A. semiochroa the black subterminal forewing mark is highly variable and is sometimes reduced to a mere dot.
17 Feb 2018
I have added another picture which shows the male from the other side. It has a corresponding dark mark on this wing (ie it's not just dirt or wear).
1 Oct 2019
Cath, it's quite a while ago now, but do you recall seeing any physical evidence that the moth had emerged from this cocoon?
2 Oct 2019
No, the upper moth was already sitting there when I first saw it, which was after the lower one flew in to join it. The lower part of the cocoon was hidden by the two moths, which didn't move while I was there.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.078042-35.271618
- Maps Aranda Bushland
- Places Belconnen, ACT
Sighting information
- 2 Abundance
- 12 Feb 2018 06:56 AM Recorded on
- CathB Recorded by
- 12mm to 25mm Animal size
Collections
- CathB Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Acyphas semiochrea Noctuoid moths (except Arctiinae) Moths (Lepidoptera) Insects
Species information
- Acyphas semiochrea Scientific name
- Omnivorous Tussock Moth Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1345.4m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
Record quality
Quality score
5 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Description
- Additional attributes
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location