A scat moth at Aranda, ACT
Identification history
| Oxythecta hieroglyphica | 28 Apr 2026 | ibaird | ||
| Oxythecta hieroglyphica | 26 Apr 2026 | WendyEM | ||
| Unverified | 25 Apr 2026 | CathB |
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User's notes
This moth was playing dead. I saw it flying round and landing on a small twig (photos 4 and 5), but when I bumped it while trying to get a better look, it dropped to the ground and remained immobile lying on its side. It didn't move when I disturbed the leaf it was lying on and even when I completely removed the leaf. Then, after about 3 minutes, the 'dead' moth just flew away. This was quite different from freezing in place which I often observe, and seems to be an example of thanatosis.
1 comment
WendyEM
wrote:
26 Apr 2026
Many of this group - in resting shape and markings - imitate bird droppings
Location information
- Coordinates 149.084420-35.271640
- Maps Aranda Bushland
- Places Aranda, ACT
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- 24 Apr 2026 04:06 PM Recorded on
- CathB Recorded by
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Collections
CathB NatureMapr Canberra & Southern Tablelands Latest Concealer moths (Oecophoridae) Moths (Lepidoptera) Insects Oxythecta hieroglyphica
Additional information
- 5mm to 12mm Animal size
Species information
- Oxythecta hieroglyphica Scientific name
- A scat moth Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 634.3m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
Record quality
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- Additional attributes