Heliocosma (genus)

A Tortricid moth at Bonner, ACT

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Heliocosma (genus) donhe 15 Oct 2022
Heliocosma (genus) ibaird 15 Oct 2022
Heliocosma argyroleuca donhe 14 Oct 2022
Unverified Christine 14 Oct 2022

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User's notes

On adjacent flowers.

6 comments

   14 Oct 2022
The head and thorax patterns are unlike those of psychidae species larvae, and very like those of a larva previously identified as H. argyroleuca.
   14 Oct 2022
Christine: can you rear it in captivity to get the adult moth?
   14 Oct 2022
Don, sorry, no, even if I could go back to the location it is very unlikely that it would be sitting there on the same flower, supposing that I was even able to find the same flower again.
   14 Oct 2022
Ok. Maybe next time.
   14 Oct 2022
OK, noted, But see sighting no. 4404812 which was previously identified as Psychidae genus (immature). Are we sure this/these and similar observations are all H. argyroleuca or similar? See also sighting No 4403241 (on native lily sp.).
   15 Oct 2022
The original larvae identified as H argyroleuca were apparently feeding on flowers, and had cases decorated with flower petals. Then we had photos with larvae, with cases, feeding on flowers, but with cases covered in debris much like Hyalarcta huebneri or young Metura elongatus, so these were classified as Psychidae.
This is the first sighting of a larva itself, feeding on a flower, with a debris covered case, with the larva identifiable as a Heliocosma. So yes, we have evidence now that the feeding on flowers rather than the decoration of the case is diagnostic of a Heliocosma species, and we should reclassify previous sightings accordingly.

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 2 Abundance
  • 12 Oct 2022 12:53 PM Recorded on
  • Christine Recorded by
  • Billy Button Associated plant
  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size

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