Anestia (genus)
A tiger moth at Flynn, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Anestia (genus) | ibaird | 27 Mar 2021 | |
| Anestia (genus) | Christine | 27 Mar 2021 | |
| Unverified | Christine | 27 Mar 2021 |
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User's notes
Not really sure what is going on here. Are the eggs from a wasp or other parasitic insect which is using the caterpillar as food for their growing young?? Who built the cocoon? Second pic is showing a caterpillar without the eggs which was 20-30cm from the other.
3 comments
27 Mar 2021
Having done a bit of research I now realise that I have photographed a female moth which is flightless. This was probably her cocoon, and she now lays her eggs on it. It seems like a huge number of eggs that would total more than her current body size!
27 Mar 2021
Interesting also to have an egg laying and cocoon building side by side at the same time.
27 Mar 2021
Totally agree. Insect behaviour and life cycles are totally fascinating. I just love watching the butterflies and native bees chase the Eu bees from the flowers. So counterintuitive.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.041257-35.209713
- Places Flynn, ACT
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- 26 Mar 2021 01:58 PM Recorded on
- Christine Recorded by
- 5mm to 12mm Animal size
Collections
- Christine Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Anestia (genus) Tiger moths (Arctiinae) Moths (Lepidoptera) Insects
Species information
- Anestia (genus) Scientific name
- A tiger moth Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 816.87m 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
- Description
- Additional attributes
- GPS evidence of location