Helicoverpa (genus)

A bollworm at Ainslie, ACT

Helicoverpa (genus) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2020
Helicoverpa (genus) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2020
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Identification history

Helicoverpa (genus) 18 Dec 2020 ibaird
Unidentified 7 Dec 2020 donhe
Heliocheilus (genus) 7 Dec 2020 ibaird
Unidentified 7 Dec 2020 ibaird
Helicoverpa (genus) 7 Dec 2020 jb2602

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User's notes

Could it be H. assulta?

12 comments

ibaird wrote:
   7 Dec 2020
I think it could be (given the appearance of this specimen),, althoigh southern records are apparently still sparse. Acknowledged as a very mobile pest species though of several specific agricultural crops - which is likely to spread with continuing global warming (Moths of Victoria). I will create the category to get the optiion considered. If we see another one, it would be worth capturing it alive and getting it identified at CSIRO.
donhe wrote:
   7 Dec 2020
'assulta', NOT assaulta, see https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/105800#page/188/mode/1up .
Those two very dark forewing marks are not present on the upper surfaces any of the 16 BOLD specimens of H assulta, nor any of the 6 photos of H. assulta in Marcus Matthews' 'Heliothine Moths of Australia'. They do appear to be present only on the undersides of many Heliothines.
Heliocheilus cistella is the Heliothine with very dark marks on the upper surfaces, also normally a tropical species.
jb2602 wrote:
   7 Dec 2020
What about Helicoverpa zea? eg https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/16163800 also see https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/368830-Helicoverpa-assulta
ibaird wrote:
   8 Dec 2020
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/16163800 looks like H. armigera to me! I think H. cistella does look most likely based on the appearance of the specimen on Bold, especially when compared with the second image, Although I don't have a copy of Matthew's 'Heliothine Moths..' and the ALA shows no live specimens. I note also that all Bold records are from tropical Australia or Western Australia. H. zea sems rarely to show dark markings like this specimen although there are very many visual records of that species online .
donhe wrote:
   9 Dec 2020
Helicoverpa zea is an American species, and so far has not invaded Australia.
ibaird wrote:
   16 Dec 2020
A.rubrescens is very variable but examples very close to this appear on the ALA.
donhe wrote:
   16 Dec 2020
We could ask Marcus Matthews, author of 'Heliothine Moths of Australia'
ibaird wrote:
   16 Dec 2020
OK, if you know him, contact him!
donhe wrote:
   16 Dec 2020
His book lists him as working at CSIRO Entomology. You live closer than I do.
ibaird wrote:
   18 Dec 2020
Don, Mathews has long since retired from CSIRO. Glenn's advice is that this is probably a Helicoverpa sp. Glenn has promised to send me a link to a site which has a lot of specialist out of print Moth reference books. I'll forward the link to you if and when I can.
donhe wrote:
   18 Dec 2020
I have a copy of Marcus' book, with its plates of photos of over 300 adult specimens of 38 named Australian Heliothine species. I was in contact with him a couple of years ago when he gave me permission to put copies of his larval photos on the Coffs website. Sadly I have lost his email address. Someone at CSIRO must know his home address, You could perhaps visit him ? Many elderly entomologists retain an interest in the subject long after they retire.
GlennCocking wrote:
   19 Dec 2020
As Ian says, my first reaction was that it is a Helicoverpa, but I agree with what Don says about it not being in the wide range of photos in Matthew's book that try to illustrate all Heliothine species' variability. The Heliothine moth that has the most prominent orbicular and reniform (and other) dark marks is Heliothis punctifera. The underlying pattern in this photo is reasonably consistent with the plainest H. punctifera specimens, and I can find similar orbicular and reniform marks in other more strongly marked specimens. So I think it is either H. punctifera or we are off track and it's a Noctuoid of a different family. The first photo shows some of the genitalia, but I can't make anything of that.

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Nearby sightings

Page 1 of 22 - image sightings only

Scioglyptis lyciaria (White-patch Bark Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 17 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Pataeta carbo (Dark Euteliid) at Ainslie, ACT - 15 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Anomis flava (Cotton Looper) at Ainslie, ACT - 15 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Armactica conchidia (Conchidia Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 13 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Crypsiphona ocultaria (Red-lined Looper Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 13 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Hippotion scrofa (Coprosma Hawk Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 13 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Cosmodes elegans (Green Blotched Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 13 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Austroscolia soror (Blue Flower Wasp) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Scoliacma nana (Diminutive Footman) at Ainslie, ACT - 7 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Palaeosia undescribed species at Ainslie, ACT - 7 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Mocis alterna (Bean Looper) at Ainslie, ACT - 6 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Unplaced suasaria (Unplaced suasaria) at Ainslie, ACT - 6 Mar 2024 by jb2602
Strepsinoma foveata (Pyralid moth, Snout moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 20 Feb 2024 by jb2602
Endoxyla (genus) (Unknown Wood Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Jan 2024 by jb2602
Epicoma contristis (Yellow-spotted Epicoma Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Jan 2024 by jb2602
Aloa marginata (Donovan's Tiger Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Jan 2024 by jb2602
Salma pyrastis (A Pyralid moth (Epipaschiinae subfam.)) at Ainslie, ACT - 9 Jan 2024 by jb2602
Lepidoscia characota (Lepidoscia characota) at Ainslie, ACT - 7 Jan 2024 by jb2602
Anthela varia (Hairy Mary) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Jan 2024 by jb2602
Circopetes obtusata (Grey Twisted Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 2 Jan 2024 by jb2602
Anoplognathus brunnipennis (Green-tailed Christmas beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 23 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Circopetes obtusata (Grey Twisted Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 21 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Yoyetta celis (Silver Princess Cicada) at Ainslie, ACT - 21 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Epidesmia chilonaria (Golden-winged Epidesmia) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Dysbatus (genus) (A Line Geometrid.) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Destolmia lineata (Streaked Notodontid Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Anthela varia (Hairy Mary) at Ainslie, ACT - 17 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Thema psammoxantha (A concealer moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 16 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Agriophara nodigera (Stenomatid Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 16 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Popplepsalta notialis incitata (Inland Sprinkler Squeaker) at Ainslie, ACT - 14 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Syneora euboliaria (Boarmiini, Geometer moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 14 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Phrataria bijugata (Bold Phrataria) at Ainslie, ACT - 14 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Palaeosia undescribed species at Ainslie, ACT - 14 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Scoliacma nana (Diminutive Footman) at Ainslie, ACT - 14 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Scioglyptis loxographa (Light Grey Bark Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 14 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Ocrasa albidalis (A Pyralid moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 14 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Anoplognathus hirsutus (Hirsute Christmas beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 14 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Anoplognathus porosus (Porosus Christmas beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 14 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Stenolemus sp. (genus) (Thread-legged assassin bug) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Philobota impletella Group (A concealer moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Aeolochroma metarhodata (Tea-tree Emerald) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Epidesmia hypenaria (Long-nosed Epidesmia) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Antictenia punctunculus (A geometer moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Norfolius howensis (Diamond-banded Nymphid) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Dysbatus singularis (Dry-country Line-moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Alleculinae sp. (Subfamily) (Unidentified Comb-clawed beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Ardozyga sodalisella (A Gelechioid moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Callidiopis scutellaris (A Longhorn Beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Epicoma contristis (Yellow-spotted Epicoma Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 12 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Epicoma melanospila (Black Spot Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 11 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Ptyoptila matutinella (Wingia Group) at Ainslie, ACT - 11 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Melanodes anthracitaria (Black Geometrid) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Hippotion scrofa (Coprosma Hawk Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Pholodes sinistraria (Sinister or Frilled Bark Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Ardozyga sodalisella (A Gelechioid moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Acmotoma magniferella (Acmotoma magniferella) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Maroga melanostigma (Pecan Stem Girdler) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Neosparassus calligaster (Beautiful Badge Huntsman) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Austroterpna paratorna (Rounded Grey) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Dysbatus (genus) (A Line Geometrid.) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Capusa senilis (Black-banded Wedge-moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Proteuxoa sanguinipuncta (Blood-spotted Noctuid) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Lepidogryllus sp. (genus) (A cricket) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Scioglyptis loxographa (Light Grey Bark Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Maratus griseus (Jumping spider) at Ainslie, ACT - 10 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Maroga melanostigma (Pecan Stem Girdler) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Paropsis atomaria (Eucalyptus leaf beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Zonitis sp. (genus) (Oil beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Pantydia diemeni (Pantydia diemeni) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Illidgea epigramma (A Gelechioid moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Ptyoptila matutinella (Wingia Group) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Lichenaula tuberculata at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Phacodes personatus (Longhorn beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Italochrysa insignis (A Green Lacewing) at Ainslie, ACT - 4 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Callidiopis scutellaris (A Longhorn Beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 4 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Camponotus consobrinus (Banded sugar ant) at Ainslie, ACT - 4 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Araeopaschia (genus) at Ainslie, ACT - 4 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Antitrogus morbillosus (Tableland pasture scarab) at Ainslie, ACT - 4 Dec 2023 by jb2602
Telecrates melanochrysa (Telecrates melanochrysa) at Ainslie, ACT - 27 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Dendroleon amabilis (An Antlion Lacewing) at Ainslie, ACT - 25 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 23 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Epidesmia hypenaria (Long-nosed Epidesmia) at Ainslie, ACT - 23 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Acanthodela erythrosema (Acanthodela erythrosema) at Ainslie, ACT - 22 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 22 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Ptyoptila matutinella (Wingia Group) at Ainslie, ACT - 22 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Leptotarsus (Macromastix) costalis (Common Brown Crane Fly) at Ainslie, ACT - 22 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Ainslie, ACT - 22 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Argoctenus sp. (genus) (Wandering ghost spider) at Ainslie, ACT - 22 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Scioglyptis loxographa (Light Grey Bark Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 22 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Mormoscopa phricozona (A Herminiid Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 22 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Spectrotrota fimbrialis (A Pyralid moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 21 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Taxeotis intextata (Looper Moth, Grey Taxeotis) at Ainslie, ACT - 21 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Cryptoptila immersana (A Tortricid moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 21 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Barea confusella (A Concealer moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 20 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Simplicia armatalis (Crescent Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 20 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Epidesmia hypenaria (Long-nosed Epidesmia) at Ainslie, ACT - 20 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Nacoleia rhoeoalis (Spilomelinae) at Ainslie, ACT - 20 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Sinpunctiptilia emissalis (Speedwell Pterror) at Ainslie, ACT - 20 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Monopis icterogastra (Wool Moth) at Ainslie, ACT - 20 Nov 2023 by jb2602
Sophta concavata (Varied Hookwing) at Ainslie, ACT - 19 Nov 2023 by jb2602

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Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 5 Dec 2020 08:36 PM Recorded on
  • jb2602 Recorded by

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  • 12mm to 25mm Animal size

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