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Swift and Ghost moths (Hepialidae)
Hepialidae sp. (family)
Unidentified Swift or Ghost Moth at Hughes Garran Woodland
Identification history
| Hepialidae sp. (family) | 21 May 2017 | MichaelMulvaney | ||
| Hepialidae sp. (family) | 23 Apr 2017 | ibaird | ||
| Unidentified | 22 Apr 2017 | ruthkerruish |
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Author's notes
Photos show how the pupae emerge from the soil and are split open when the moth emerges. If the soil is hard and dry the pupae may not completely emerge.
5 comments
ibaird wrote:
23 Apr 2017
I'm wondering whether you have any photos of the emerging moths, which would help in identification.
ruthkerruish wrote:
23 Apr 2017
Unfortunately no. However I will look more closely. The pupae have been emerging regularly in masses literally every year for years and we look at them and kids want know about them, but have never actually seen moths emerging. Would they emerge at night?
ibaird wrote:
23 Apr 2017
I can't be sure but, assuming these are discarded moth pupal cases, the images you have submitted are not inconsistent with those left by swift moths (Hepialidae). For example, Trictena sp., see images at this link
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:e1e3717f-f864-49f2-a9b1-5bf020bd6e9f#gallery
Swift moths (15 spp.) typically come to light at night on rainy nights in autumn after emerging. The pupate in the soil or wood. Trictena sp. live in the soil and feed on tree roots e.g Eucalyptus and the pupal cases are known to protrude from the tunnel in soil after the moth emerges as is shown in one of your images (Common, 1990). Therefore, I'll suggest Hepialidae possible Trictana sp, as my identification and see whether it is supported by others on CNM. With rain predicted, you might try to look out for and photograph emerging moths in the coming days and weeks.
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:e1e3717f-f864-49f2-a9b1-5bf020bd6e9f#gallery
Swift moths (15 spp.) typically come to light at night on rainy nights in autumn after emerging. The pupate in the soil or wood. Trictena sp. live in the soil and feed on tree roots e.g Eucalyptus and the pupal cases are known to protrude from the tunnel in soil after the moth emerges as is shown in one of your images (Common, 1990). Therefore, I'll suggest Hepialidae possible Trictana sp, as my identification and see whether it is supported by others on CNM. With rain predicted, you might try to look out for and photograph emerging moths in the coming days and weeks.
ruthkerruish wrote:
24 Apr 2017
I have looked up the link - I know what to look out for now - let us hope it rains soon as the bush is very dry. Thanks a lot.
ruthkerruish wrote:
12 May 2017
If we mange to catch a moth we may be able to show that these pupal cases are left when the Rain moth (Trictena atripalpis) emerges.. The caterpillars that live in the soil and feed on tree roots are often called Bardee grubs
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Nearby sightings
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Location information
- Coordinates 149.098708-35.338311
- Altitude 618.5m
- Maps Hughes Garran Woodland
- Places Hughes, ACT
Species information
- Not Sensitive
- Local Native
- Non-Invasive
Sighting information
- 16 - 100 Abundance
- 22 Apr 2017 12:00 AM Recorded on
- ruthkerruish Recorded by
Additional information
- Eucalypts Associated plant
- 50mm or larger Animal size
- Burrow Breeding behaviour
