Hecatesia fenestrata

5 Common Whistling Moth at Downer, ACT

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Identification history

Hecatesia fenestrata	7 Oct 2020	donhe
Hecatesia fenestrata	7 Oct 2020	ibaird
Unidentified	7 Oct 2020	leith7

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3 comments

ibaird wrote:

7 Oct 2020

This is a male (see whistling structure in each forewing). First sighting of this interesting day-flying moth species on CNM. Male of the species has a unique wing structures which allows it to generate a whistling noise thought to attract females. Females don't have the whistling ability. Food plant recorded as the dodder laurel: Cassytha melanta (Devil's Twine). Has been recorded on Black Mountain previously (ANIC specimen, both sexes, wing fragments only, see images Bold Systems 4). Males of H. fenestrata are diurnal, flying a figure of eight pattern at dusk, whistling to attract females (Zborowski and Edwards 2007).

michaelb wrote:

7 Oct 2020

Hi Leith. I have downloaded one of the original photos and cropped it, and added it back to be used on the Species page when confirmed.

leith7 wrote:

7 Oct 2020

Thank you so much!

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