Sighting 4356881
Eupselia satrapella and similar species
An Hypertrophid moth at Melba, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Eupselia satrapella and similar species | GlennCocking | 15 Dec 2020 | |
| Eupselia satrapella | donhe | 14 Nov 2020 | |
| Edosa xystidophora | ibaird | 13 Nov 2020 | |
| Unverified | kasiaaus | 13 Nov 2020 |
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6 comments
13 Nov 2020
Some specimens show the éyespots': https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35723609
14 Nov 2020
E. satrapella only has a single mauve band along the medial edge of the dark marginal fascia, where 4356881 seems to have a double mauve band. I think this is more like E. beltera
14 Nov 2020
Yes, on a closer look Edosa can be ruled out I think if only because the lateral margin between the yellow and black/purple is more vertical in this specimen than in E. xystidophora compared to the Eupselia alternatives. A second mauve band is discernible here but double mauve bands can also be seen on specimens of both E. beltera and E. satrapella online on the ALA. This specimen lacks a full expression of the broad costal brown band which seems to be present in a amjority of E. beltara specimens I can see .identified as such. Bold Systems 4 says E. beltera has small yellow spot near the apex which is visible in the three specimens we have already identified as such on CNM, whereas its missing here. BS4 says E. satrapella has been recorded in the ACT (ANIC) whereas E. beltera range on BS4 apparently encompasses the ACT, but their map does not show a specimen here. I can't rule out this specimen being E. satrapella.
14 Nov 2020
I agree the mauve bands appear to be variable. But also on BS4, both species have yellow marks at the forewing apex. The special difference seems to be the pale spot "on the dorsum at three-fourths", as Turner puts it, on E. beltera. This specimen has no such spot, so as Katarina suggested, is more consistent with Eupselia satrapella. The caveat is that BS4 also distinguishes over 100 additional unnamed Eupselia species, some of which appear similar to E. beltera and E. satrapella.
13 Dec 2020
I believe E. beltera and strapella cannot be distinguished in photos, and are difficult even with specimens in the hand. Both have similar and similarly varying apical patterns in the forewing. The description of beltera says "Near E. satrapella, differering mainly in the hindwings" which our records do not show. There are also other species in the complex, mainly undescribed, which add to the difficulty. I think we should merge our records under E. satrapella, the oldest name.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.049918-35.208567
- Altitude 562.2m
- Places Melba, ACT
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- 10 Nov 2020 10:12 PM Recorded on
- kasiaaus Recorded by
- 5mm to 12mm Animal size
Collections
- Insects Curved-horn moths (all Gelechioidea except Oecophoridae) Moths (Lepidoptera) kasiaaus Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Eupselia satrapella and similar species
Species information
- Eupselia satrapella and similar species Scientific name
- An Hypertrophid moth Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1119.78m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
Record quality
Quality score
6 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location
- Additional attributes
- Description