Opodiphthera eucalypti

7 Emperor Gum Moth at Mount Painter

Opodiphthera eucalypti at Mount Painter - 12 Jan 2024
Opodiphthera eucalypti at Mount Painter - 12 Jan 2024
Opodiphthera eucalypti at Mount Painter - 12 Jan 2024
Opodiphthera eucalypti at Mount Painter - 12 Jan 2024
Opodiphthera eucalypti at Mount Painter - 12 Jan 2024
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Identification history

Opodiphthera eucalypti 15 Jan 2024 donhe
Opodiphthera eucalypti 15 Jan 2024 CathB

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User's notes

The completed life cycle of a caterpillar first seen on 16 January 2023, just short of a year ago. A summary of her previous life consuming large quantities of eucalypt leaves and building her cocoon can be seen in Sighting 4471275, and more details are available in the timeline. The first hint that something was happening was a continuous tapping noise that could be clearly heard from the other end of the room. When the noise suddenly stopped about an hour later, I found the newly emerged moth. The photos of her expanding her wings to a width of about 12 cm are shown in reverse order, and cover a period from about 5.15 to 7.00 pm. She was later returned her to the same place where I collected her as a tiny, very hungry, caterpillar.

5 comments

HelenCross wrote:
   15 Jan 2024
Wow, fantastic series, and outcome!
ibaird wrote:
   15 Jan 2024
Stunningly beautiful photos.
Csteele4 wrote:
   16 Jan 2024
What an incredible story, and wonderful photos!
ibaird wrote:
   16 Jan 2024
Those 'knocking' noises are possibly an adaptation signalling to the other sex that a mating opportunity is about to materialize nearby!
CathB wrote:
   16 Jan 2024
I have just added a sound recording of the noises coming from the cocoon. See sighting 4544918. I had no idea at the time what these were, but I now think it sounds consistent with the process described in https://www.citscihub.nz/Phil_Bendle_Collection:Opodiphthera_eucalypti_(Gum_emperor_moth) 'When the metamorphosis is complete, the adult moth regurgitates a fluid to soften the tough cocoon and then cuts a hole using sharp hooks on the base of each forewing.' It could also have a secondary function of alerting the opposite sex as suggested by @ibaird, but the highly branched antennae suggest pheromones would also play an important role there.

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Nearby sightings

Page 1 of 9 - image sightings only

Leptogaster sp. (genus) (Robber fly) at Cook, ACT - 23 Oct 2024 by CathB
Palaeosia bicosta (Two-ribbed Footman) at Cook, ACT - 17 Oct 2024 by CathB
Coeranica isabella (A Concealer moth) at Cook, ACT - 17 Oct 2024 by CathB
Podomyrma sp. (genus) (Muscleman Tree Ant) at Cook, ACT - 17 Oct 2024 by CathB
Goniaea sp. (genus) (A gumleaf grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 7 Oct 2024 by CathB
Delias harpalyce (Imperial Jezebel) at Cook, ACT - 7 Oct 2024 by CathB
Oechalia schellenbergii (Spined Predatory Shield Bug) at Cook, ACT - 5 Sep 2024 by CathB
Dolophones sp. (genus) (Wrap-around spider) at Mount Painter - 27 Apr 2024 by CathB
Formicidae (family) (Unidentified ant) at Mount Painter - 27 Apr 2024 by CathB
Glyphipterix anaclastis (A sedge moth) at Mount Painter - 26 Apr 2024 by CathB
Ditropidus sp. (genus) (Leaf beetle) at Mount Painter - 26 Apr 2024 by CathB
Boreoides subulatus (Wingless Soldier Fly) at Mount Painter - 26 Apr 2024 by CathB
Monomachus antipodalis (A parasitic wasp) at Mount Painter - 26 Apr 2024 by CathB
Leptogaster sp. (genus) (Robber fly) at Mount Painter - 26 Apr 2024 by CathB
Tinzeda lobata (A katydid) at Mount Painter - 23 Mar 2024 by Tammy
Diomus notescens (Little two-spotted ladybird) at Mount Painter - 21 Mar 2024 by CathB
Plectobela undescribed species (A concealer moth) at Mount Painter - 20 Mar 2024 by CathB
Mnesampela comarcha (Dry-leaf Gum Moth) at Mount Painter - 14 Mar 2024 by CathB
Conocephalus upoluensis (Meadow Katydid) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Parasynthemis regina (Royal Tigertail) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Neosparassus calligaster (Beautiful Badge Huntsman) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Acroaspis sp. (genus) (Twig Spider) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Tasmanicosa sp. (genus) (Unidentified Tasmanicosa wolf spider) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Oxyopes sp. (genus) (Lynx spider) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Lasiosticha canilinea (A Pyralid moth) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Idaea philocosma (Flecked Wave) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Psilosticha absorpta (Fine-waved Bark Moth) at Mount Painter - 2 Mar 2024 by CathB
Austrotephritis sp. (genus) (Fruit fly or Seed fly) at Mount Painter - 2 Mar 2024 by CathB
Praxibulus sp. (genus) (A grasshopper) at Mount Painter - 29 Feb 2024 by CathB
Gryllacrididae (family) (Wood, Raspy or Leaf Rolling Cricket) at Mount Painter - 29 Feb 2024 by CathB
Utetheisa pulchelloides (Heliotrope Moth) at Mount Painter - 29 Feb 2024 by CathB
Pseudoperga sp. (genus) (Sawfly, Spitfire) at Mount Painter - 28 Feb 2024 by CathB
Casbia pallens (Pale Casbia) at Mount Painter - 16 Feb 2024 by CathB
Pollanisus (genus) (A Forester Moth) at Mount Painter - 16 Feb 2024 by CathB
Ectomocoris patricius (Ground assassin bug) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Castiarina scalaris (Scalaris jewel beetle) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Nemophora (genus) (A Fairy Moth) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Phlaeothripidae sp. (family) (A thrip) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Aglaopus pyrrhata (Leaf Moth) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Lepus capensis (Brown Hare) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Eupoecila australasiae (Fiddler Beetle) at Mount Painter - 11 Jan 2024 by CathB
Praxibulus sp. (genus) (A grasshopper) at Mount Painter - 2 Jan 2024 by CathB
Conocephalomima barameda (False Meadow Katydid, Barameda) at Mount Painter - 2 Jan 2024 by CathB
Pollanisus lithopastus (A Forester Moth) at Mount Painter - 1 Dec 2023 by Tammy
Trapezites luteus (Yellow Ochre, Rare White-spot Skipper) at Mount Painter - 1 Dec 2023 by Tammy
Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Mount Painter - 1 Dec 2023 by Tammy
Eublemma inconspicua (Inconspicuous Eublemma) at Belconnen, ACT - 31 Oct 2023 by CathB
Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher) at Belconnen, ACT - 30 Oct 2023 by CathB
Spilonota constrictana (A Tortricid moth) at Mount Painter - 8 Oct 2023 by CathB
Lauxaniidae (family) (Unidentified lauxaniid fly) at Mount Painter - 8 Oct 2023 by CathB
Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group (Jack jumper) at Mount Painter - 8 Oct 2023 by CathB
Dillwynia sericea (Egg And Bacon Peas) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Oct 2023 by CathB
Trapezites phigalia (Heath Ochre) at Belconnen, ACT - 29 Sep 2023 by CathB
Scopula optivata (Varied Wave) at Belconnen, ACT - 29 Sep 2023 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Belconnen, ACT - 29 Sep 2023 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 29 Sep 2023 by CathB
Plutella (genus) (Plutella Moths) at Belconnen, ACT - 17 Sep 2023 by CathB
Eupolemus angularis (Acanthosomatid bug) at Belconnen, ACT - 14 Sep 2023 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Belconnen, ACT - 14 Sep 2023 by CathB
Chalcidoidea (superfamily) (A gall wasp or Chalcid wasp) at Belconnen, ACT - 10 Sep 2023 by CathB
Empididae sp. (family) (Dance fly) at Belconnen, ACT - 10 Sep 2023 by CathB
Melobasis obscurella (Obscurella jewel beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 10 Sep 2023 by CathB
Mnesampela comarcha (Dry-leaf Gum Moth) at Mount Painter - 9 Sep 2023 by CathB
Elateridae sp. (family) (Unidentified click beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 8 Sep 2023 by CathB
Melobasis thoracica (A jewel beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Belconnen, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Habronestes bradleyi (Bradley's Ant-Eating Spider) at Belconnen, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Belconnen, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Calliphoridae (family) (Unidentified blowfly) at Cook, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Parasphecodes) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Myrmarachne sp. (genus) (Unidentified Ant-mimic jumping spider) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Camponotus nigroaeneus (Sugar ant) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Acacia decurrens (Green Wattle) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Ditropidus sp. (genus) (Leaf beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Acacia boormanii (Snowy River Wattle) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Sarothrocrepis civica (An arboreal 'ground' beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Trigonidium (Balamara) albovittatum (Handsome trig) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Trigonidium australiana (Leaf running cricket) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Microtropesa sp. (genus) (Tachinid fly) at Belconnen, ACT - 31 Aug 2023 by CathB
Syrphini sp. (tribe) (Unidentified syrphine hover fly) at Belconnen, ACT - 31 Aug 2023 by CathB
Empididae sp. (family) (Dance fly) at Belconnen, ACT - 31 Aug 2023 by CathB
Scopula optivata (Varied Wave) at Belconnen, ACT - 8 Aug 2023 by CathB
Ceromitia leptosticta (A Fairy moth) at Cook, ACT - 15 May 2023 by CathB
Merophyas divulsana (Lucerne Leafroller) at Cook, ACT - 10 May 2023 by CathB
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 10 May 2023 by CathB
Vespula germanica (European wasp) at Cook, ACT - 27 Apr 2023 by CathB
Scopula (genus) (A wave moth) at Cook, ACT - 25 Apr 2023 by CathB
Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Cook, ACT - 25 Apr 2023 by CathB
Calperum ottei (A recently described pygmy cricket) at Cook, ACT - 25 Apr 2023 by CathB
Trigonospila sp. (genus) (A Bristle Fly) at Cook, ACT - 25 Apr 2023 by CathB
Chalcididae (family) (Unidentified chalcid wasp) at Cook, ACT - 21 Apr 2023 by CathB
Argoctenus sp. (genus) (Wandering ghost spider) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Rivellia sp. (genus) (Signal fly) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Chorista australis (Autumn scorpion fly) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Plectobela undescribed species (A concealer moth) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Anthicinae (subfamily) (Ant-like flower beetles, ant-like beetles) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Bobilla aff. victoriae at Mount Painter - 28 Mar 2023 by CathB
Calperum ottei (A recently described pygmy cricket) at Cook, ACT - 28 Mar 2023 by CathB
Nacoleia rhoeoalis (Spilomelinae) at Cook, ACT - 28 Mar 2023 by CathB
Argyrodes sp. (genus) (Dew-drop spider) at Cook, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by CathB

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