Trichiocercus sparshalli

Sparshall's Moth at South East Forest National Park

Trichiocercus sparshalli at South East Forest National Park - 18 Jan 2024
Trichiocercus sparshalli at South East Forest National Park - 18 Jan 2024
Request use of media

Identification history

Trichiocercus sparshalli 19 Jan 2024 donhe
Trichiocercus sparshalli 19 Jan 2024 Csteele4

Identify this sighting


Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

6 comments

donhe wrote:
   19 Jan 2024
I am confused. How many caterpillars am I looking at ?
Csteele4 wrote:
   19 Jan 2024
@donhe just one, wrapped around a piece of grass.
donhe wrote:
   19 Jan 2024
T. sparshalli often has scarlet tussocks along the the back like this, but usually has a longer black tuft on the head, and black saddles in between the red tussocks. This specimen appears to have no black tuft on head but has two halfway along the back. A mutant? Or another species?
Csteele4 wrote:
   19 Jan 2024
@donhe, hmm, I suppose either are possible! Unfortunately these were the only photos I got, but @AlisonMilton took photos as well, perhaps hers will give you more detail!
donhe wrote:
   19 Jan 2024
I was hoping it was 2 caterpillars having a tete-a-tete. It's so blurred.
AlisonMilton wrote:
   19 Jan 2024
@donhe @Csteele4 Hi Don, I did get better photos of the back of the caterpillar. See my photos at Trichiocercus sparshalli (Sparshall's Moth)

Please Login or Register to comment.

Nearby sightings

Page 1 of 1 - image sightings only

Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 18 Jan 2024 01:32 PM Recorded on
  • Csteele4 Recorded by

Additional information

  • Grass Associated plant
  • 12mm to 25mm Animal size
  • Larvae Breeding behaviour
  • Alive / healthy Animal health

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
2,154,606 sightings of 19,958 species in 6,505 locations from 11,466 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.