Utetheisa (genus)

A tiger moth at Dunlop, ACT

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Identification history

Utetheisa (genus)	8 Nov 2020	donhe
Utetheisa (genus)	8 Nov 2020	ibaird
Argina astraea	7 Nov 2020	donhe
Unidentified	7 Nov 2020	Christine

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User's notes

Appeared bluish white in flight.

6 comments

donhe wrote:

7 Nov 2020

Although normally yellow, some white specimens of this species are illustrated in
https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:49cd388d-3721-4e42-a6a1-ab012cdf4954
However this sighting is a long way south of it's usual southern limit. Wow.

donhe wrote:

7 Nov 2020

Sadly the CNM system currently will not me add this species.

ibaird wrote:

7 Nov 2020

I see the strong similarity with the whiter examles of A. astrea on the ALA, but there seems to no hint of yellow at all in this specimen, the dots to me seem smaller and to me have a subtly different pattern; and the aetennae are black on the ALA.

donhe wrote:

8 Nov 2020

However: the pattern of the spots is a good match. Drury said there are 40 spots on each forewing of his specimen (presumably the holotype). Christine: how many does yours have, ?

ibaird wrote:

8 Nov 2020

I suggest the spotting pattern and tha overall shape in outline of the moth better fits Utetheisa sp. (genus). We have recorded similar sightings before showing no red markings, even photographed on the same plant, Echium sp.(genus), see Sightings No. 4353705, 4253477 and 4256666.

donhe wrote:

8 Nov 2020

Ah yes. The black spots on Astraea and Utetheisa have the same pattern.

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