Circopetes obtusata

Grey Twisted Moth at Melba, ACT

Circopetes obtusata at Melba, ACT - 30 Dec 2020
Circopetes obtusata at Melba, ACT - 30 Dec 2020
Circopetes obtusata at Melba, ACT - 30 Dec 2020
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Identification history

Circopetes obtusata 14 Feb 2021 GlennCocking
Circopetes obtusata 6 Feb 2021 donhe
Unidentified 6 Feb 2021 Caric

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User's notes

Looked like a dry grey gum leaf. Found in Melba close to the foot of Mt Rogers.

5 comments

GlennCocking wrote:
   8 Feb 2021
I thought the same at first, but the underwing pattern doesn't seem right. I looked under several other Oenochrominae but didn't find a match. You don't have any record of the upperside?
donhe wrote:
   9 Feb 2021
I thought the underside pattern matched quite well with Peter Marriott's photo in MOV-4, given the variability of the marking often observed in this species. Of course, the large dark areas under the forewings are obscured, but the hindwing undersides looked reasonable to me.
The match looked better than the match with the published undersides of other twisted abdomen moths such as Parepisparis excusata.
Caric wrote:
   12 Feb 2021
There may be a photo of the upper part but my daughter took the photo and I'll have to persuade her to look through to see if she can find one. Will post a photo if it can be found. The moth certainly had a twisted abdomen, curling into alignment with its wings which is why we first mistook it for a eucalyptus leaf.
GlennCocking wrote:
   13 Feb 2021
I should withdraw my doubt. I was more familiar with the underwing pattern showing ion record 4369728, but this one seems as Don points out to be within the range of variation (I looked under quite a few more). But it would still be good to have a confirming topside view if your daughter has it.
Caric wrote:
   15 Feb 2021
I've added a couple of extra photos my daughter sent. Many thanks.

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 30 Dec 2020 10:12 AM Recorded on
  • Caric Recorded by

Additional information

  • 25mm to 50mm Animal size

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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