Anthela acuta
Common Anthelid at Murrumbateman, NSW
Identify this sighting
| Anthela acuta | ibaird | 9 Oct 2017 | |
| Anthela acuta | GlennCocking | 9 Oct 2017 | |
| Unverified | SallyandPeter | 8 Oct 2017 |
Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.
3 comments
10 Oct 2017
Hawk Moth - Hippotion scrofa
Hark Moths belong to the Sphingidae family and in Australia there are 65 recorded species (Australian Museum), with most occurring in tropical and sub-tropical forested zones where often common. However I have only seen a single species and to date, only a single moth as shown above, so unless secretive, they are far from being common in the southeast of Western Australia, although probably more so in the forested southwest.
Hawk Moths are nectar feeders and like humming-birds, usually hover over flowers when feeding and are credited with the pollination of many plants as they probe tubular flowers with their long proboscis. The rapid wing movements required to hover indicates their relative physical strength and flying capability, which when fuelled with nectar can be considerable.
Hippotion scrofa is found over much of Australia and even overseas making it one of the most widespread of moths. The one above was encountered near Esperance on 24th December, which was a nice Christmas present, but probably coincides with its feeding habits. Like other Hawk Moths, it was a sleek impressive looking insect a little over 3 cm (11/4”) in head/body length.
Hark Moths belong to the Sphingidae family and in Australia there are 65 recorded species (Australian Museum), with most occurring in tropical and sub-tropical forested zones where often common. However I have only seen a single species and to date, only a single moth as shown above, so unless secretive, they are far from being common in the southeast of Western Australia, although probably more so in the forested southwest.
Hawk Moths are nectar feeders and like humming-birds, usually hover over flowers when feeding and are credited with the pollination of many plants as they probe tubular flowers with their long proboscis. The rapid wing movements required to hover indicates their relative physical strength and flying capability, which when fuelled with nectar can be considerable.
Hippotion scrofa is found over much of Australia and even overseas making it one of the most widespread of moths. The one above was encountered near Esperance on 24th December, which was a nice Christmas present, but probably coincides with its feeding habits. Like other Hawk Moths, it was a sleek impressive looking insect a little over 3 cm (11/4”) in head/body length.
10 Oct 2017
The moth photoed in this report from Murrumbateman is an Anthela species. Many of them are variable in wing pattern, and a pattern can seem to overlap species. This specimen is probably Anthela acuta, a name which is thought to cover a complex of species,
Location information
- Coordinates 149.068056-34.974444
- Altitude 619.0m
- Places Murrumbateman, NSW
Sighting information
- 1 Abundance
- 8 Oct 2017 09:42 PM Recorded on
- SallyandPeter Recorded by
- 5mm to 12mm Animal size
Collections
- SallyandPeter Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Anthela acuta Anthelid moths (Anthelidae) Moths (Lepidoptera) Insects
Species information
- Anthela acuta Scientific name
- Common Anthelid Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1664.8m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
-
Synonyms
Darala excisa
Record quality
Quality score
4 / 7
- Images or audio
- Verified by an expert moderator
- GPS evidence of location
- Additional attributes
- More than one media file
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- Description