Acyphas semiochrea

Omnivorous Tussock Moth at Belconnen, ACT

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Identification history

Acyphas semiochrea	16 Feb 2018	ibaird
Acyphas semiochrea	16 Feb 2018	GlennCocking
Acyphas chionitis	12 Feb 2018	CathB

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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

ibaird wrote:

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).

CathB wrote:

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.

GlennCocking wrote:

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.

ibaird wrote:

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.

CathB wrote:

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).

GlennCocking wrote:

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?

CathB wrote:

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.

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