Nemophora (genus)

A Fairy Moth at O'Connor, ACT

Nemophora (genus) at O'Connor, ACT - 3 Dec 2016
Nemophora (genus) at O'Connor, ACT - 3 Dec 2016
Nemophora (genus) at O'Connor, ACT - 3 Dec 2016
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Identification history

Nemophora (genus) 7 Dec 2017 ibaird
Nemophora (genus) 7 Dec 2017 GlennCocking
Nemophora topazias 6 Dec 2016 GlennCocking
Unidentified 5 Dec 2016 ibaird

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User's notes

Very small, active day flying moth with long antennae (slightly clubbed at end). Bright variable coppery iridescent sheen to wings visible in bright sunshine. Family Incurvariidae (see Australian Moths IFB Common 1963, p. 24-5).

4 comments

ibaird wrote:
   7 Dec 2016
Glenn. I see references online suggest this species is associated with Acacia baileyana. Perhaps this species is quite common in the ACT? Are there many other species in this family (Adelidae) to be seen in the ACT?
GlennCocking wrote:
   10 Dec 2016
It's hard to say whether something is common, but I've seen it on the wing a few times in Canberra. There is another very similar species, N. sparsella, which is similar to topazias and your photo could be either one. There is also the genus Ceromitia which has a number of named and unnamed species present in Canberra. They are plainish grey species compared to Nemophora, but still have the very long antennae.
GlennCocking wrote:
   7 Dec 2017
Looking at this some more, there are 3 Nemophora species that have been recorded in the ACT, and it isn't possible to be certain which one it is (or even another). I'll change the identification to Nemophora sp.
ibaird wrote:
   7 Dec 2017
OK, These do not seem to be common, or perhaps easily overlooked.

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Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • Less than 5mm Animal size
  • Unknown Gender

Species information

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