Rupicolana orthias

A tortrix or leafroller moth at Melba, ACT

Rupicolana orthias at Melba, ACT - 15 Nov 2020 09:21 PM
Rupicolana orthias at Melba, ACT - 15 Nov 2020 09:21 PM
Request use of media

Identification history

Rupicolana orthias 16 Dec 2020 ibaird
Rupicolana orthias 16 Dec 2020 GlennCocking
Tortricinae (subfamily) 11 Dec 2020 donhe
Meritastis undescribed species 9 Dec 2020 donhe
Unidentified 8 Dec 2020 kasiaaus

Identify this sighting


Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

7 comments

ibaird wrote:
   9 Dec 2020
Loooks likely to be Meritastis sp.(genus) But I can;t find any images with the distictive black dot on the thorax. I see the second image shows the 'dot 'to be a raised darker crest.
ibaird wrote:
   11 Dec 2020
Similar to Sigthing No. 4354773.
donhe wrote:
   11 Dec 2020
Labial palps look a bit long for Tortricinae, but the forewing costal curves do make a nice 'bell shape'. The dark spots along the forewing costa and hind margin match those of the BOLD image of Meritastis laganodes at
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/tort/laganodes.html
and Ken's habitus photo there shows a tiny dark spot on the metathorax.
ibaird wrote:
   11 Dec 2020
Whilei see some similarlity on the markings alomg the costa I cannot see any of the detail of the two-toned forewing markings of the specimen in any of photos M. laganodes from life online . While I see the small black marks,I don 't think they corrrespond suffieiently with the large crest and its margin of black seen in the specimen.
donhe wrote:
   12 Dec 2020
I agree. I think even Tortricinae is pushing it.
GlennCocking wrote:
   16 Dec 2020
Rupicolana orthias has a variable wing pattern with quite different forms, but also a characteristic black scale tuft aring from both the rear of the thorax and the point on the inner margin of each forewing that abuts the thoracic part of the scale tuft when the wings are closed.
ibaird wrote:
   16 Dec 2020
OK, there are hints of other R. rupicolis markings too.

Please Login or Register to comment.

Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • 12mm to 25mm Animal size

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
1,909,177 sightings of 21,431 species from 13,231 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.