Pernattia pusilla

She-Oak Moth at Melba, ACT

Pernattia pusilla at Melba, ACT - 24 Jan 2021 09:53 PM
Pernattia pusilla at Melba, ACT - 24 Jan 2021 09:53 PM
Pernattia pusilla at Melba, ACT - 24 Jan 2021 09:53 PM
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Identification history

Pernattia pusilla 3 Feb 2021 donhe
Pernattia pusilla 2 Feb 2021 kasiaaus

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User's notes

This is the largest of three similar caterpillars I saw in this three. The other ones are sighting 4369895 and 4369896.

4 comments

donhe wrote:
   2 Feb 2021
I do NOT think that because they are on the same foodplant, that we can assume they are all the same species, especially image3, the red one.
I think different specimens should be different sightings, so that we can assess each separately, because many differences are subtle, and yet some variability is substantial. These need to be taken into account. It would be good for example, to rear the red one, and see whether the larva of P. pusilla is this variable, or whether the red caterpillar is actually a related species.
kasiaaus wrote:
   3 Feb 2021
I will separate the photos and I will see if I can find the caterpillars again tomorrow. I have only managed to rear one moth so far. It takes a lot of time and I expect my time is better spent on the photos but I will try with this one.
kasiaaus wrote:
   4 Feb 2021
I went back to the tree and I found lots of yellow ones but no red one. Sorry. I will try again in a few days.
donhe wrote:
   4 Feb 2021
Of the approximately 10,000 named and described moth species in Australia, only about 1,000 have known life histories. I suggest that documenting life histories of more species is of greater scientific value than taking more photos of well documented adult moths.

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Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • 25mm to 50mm Animal size

Species information

  • Pernattia pusilla Scientific name
  • She-Oak Moth Common name
  • Not Sensitive
  • Local native
  • Non-invasive or negligible
  • Up to 758.57m Recorded at altitude
  • Machine learning
  • External link More information
  • Synonyms

    Pernattia exposita

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
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