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Identification history

Hydroptilidae (family) 19 Oct 2025 WendyEM
Gelechioidea (superfamily) 16 Oct 2025 ibaird
Unverified 16 Oct 2025 TimL

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User's notes

This insect initially looked like a tiny ant foraging on the vastness of a footbridge handrail. It was running around and around in very small circles and did this for some time. When it eventually stopped, I took some images before it began the circling behaviour again. The insect turned out to be one of the smallest moths I’ve seen, at less than 5mm overall length. Unsure as to type of moth. Concealer?

3 comments

ibaird wrote:
   16 Oct 2025
An intriguing species. Yet to find a match!
DianneClarke wrote:
   16 Oct 2025
@Kallies Any suggestions for this one?
WendyEM wrote:
   16 Oct 2025
maybe it is one of these https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/177738-Hydroptila
https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/b0da9007-acf0-4230-b655-524412adcb54#gallery
whatever it is, it is a stunning record!

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Sighting information

Additional information

  • Less than 5mm Animal size

Record quality

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