Insects
Moths (Lepidoptera)
Geometer moths (Geometridae)
Sighting 3871958

Poecilasthena thalassias

Sea-blue Delicate at Higgins, ACT

Poecilasthena thalassias at Higgins, ACT - 22 Oct 2018
Poecilasthena thalassias at Higgins, ACT - 22 Oct 2018
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Identification history

Poecilasthena thalassias 14 Jan 2019 ibaird
Poecilasthena thalassias 14 Jan 2019 ibaird
Poecilasthena thalassias 21 Nov 2018 donhe
Unidentified 20 Nov 2018 AlisonMilton

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5 comments

ibaird wrote:
   22 Nov 2018
Looking at images of M. centrophylla online (ALA) I would have thought the hindwing margin shape was too rounded (i.e not a sharp enough point) to be this species. Is the apparent lack of green colouration not an issue?
donhe wrote:
   22 Nov 2018
Yes: the rounded hindwings rule out Maxates.
Absence of black dots around the margin rules out Scopula.
I was thinking the slightness of the green tinge was due combination of loss of scales and a trick of the illumination.
Too far south for Cenochlora quieta.
AlisonMilton wrote:
   22 Nov 2018
The light may also be a factor. This moth was on the ceiling outside my back door, so the combination of the back porch light and use of the camera flash may have compromised any green colouration - though I don't remember it looking greenish.
GlennCocking wrote:
   13 Jan 2019
I can't see enough to confidently confirm, but it is consistent with P. thalassias.
ibaird wrote:
   15 Jan 2019
Yes , there are several light-coloured examples labelled P. thalassias on the ALA and the hind wing margin shape and the sharp forewing tips are consistent.

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