carey-knox-southern-scales's Favorites

Assisting @Carey-Knox-Southern-Scales on moth surveys. 20ha Matai dominated rich forest remnant surrounded by pasture/tussock/sparse shrublands. Various light/sheet combinations set up on forest edge.

Following the discovery of a Streblus Fruit Moth on the previous night we explored the forest more thoroughly the following day and discovered several groves of Streblus. We set a number of lights/sheets specifically targeting these trees and this moth. With success, probably 7 individuals came to light. 4 further individuals of this very variable moth are recorded.

Assisting @Carey-Knox-Southern-Scales on moth surveys. We had researched the local moth fauna before the trip and noticed a nearby observation by Alice Shanks of Pseudcoremia melinata - see here https://inaturalist.nz/observations/9122199 We therefore scouted the area and discovered a large area of Carmichaelia (the moth's host plant) closeby. Carey set up a light to specifically target this species. Success! 4 moths came to light, 3 males and a female. The following night a 5th moth came to a Heath light trap set a couple of hundred metres further away. This is the moth that came to a 9W flourescent actinic Heath Moth Trap.

Assisting @Carey-Knox-Southern-Scales on moth surveys. Evening/Night 1. Multiple lights/sheets set up in a steep gully of native bush. Undergrowth dominated by ongaonga. Ribbonwood/lacebark dominant forest trees, some kowhai and totara etc. Quite battered but possibly P. urticae given proximity of tree nettle.

To continue confusing myself (following this observation: https://inaturalist.nz/observations/197283813), this seems like G. calliploca or G. primiera, except it has a long dark marking at 1/2 down the wing, a dark patch 45° in from that, and a notable wide dark fringe at the end of the wing.

This one just recently from @carey-knox-southern-scales has the fringe and the dark patch on the inner wing, but not the most obvious black streak, although it's also much more peppered with dark scales: https://inaturalist.nz/observations/196478996

I'm wondering if both of these are Gymnobathra inaequata, as this seems to be a better fit.

https://web.archive.org/web/20100518191657fw_/http://landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/invertebrates/lepidoptera/cgi-bin/bug.pl?1517005?14610.0000

Day flying in regen kanuka dominated forest, with others, on a very hot afternoon. 28 degrees, humid. A couple of weeks later than usual, probably because of the cool damp summer (until today) on the Otago Peninsula. @carey-knox-southern-scales - they are here now!

Moth survey, Ewe Range about 1600m asl with @Carey-knox-southern-scales Breezy, 9 degrees dropping to 5 ish. Multiple lights deployed in one area. Several specimens of this moth were seen flying over the tussock in late evening. It also came to the lights.

Absolute stunner!!! Assume this is correct as can't think what else it could be? Why are so many moths so much more colourful in Fiordland? A night at Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley, Fiordland 9th Nov 2023

Hikaroroa/Mt Watkin Reserve. Moth survey 2. With @carey-knox-southern-scales. Afternoon. Flushed out of a large patch of Fuchsia perscandens, along with others. The second of 2 caught. Photographed under glass. A highlight.

A number of these vegetable caterpillars have been found by Alf Webb in Broad Bay - see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/97616596
This observation is concerned with which moth is involved. I have previously observed Aoraia rufivena in the neighbourhood - see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/73785349 and wonder if this might be the moth. These vegetable caterpillars are being found in regenerating forest around 100 years old. Canopy comprises of Putaputaweta, Red Mapou, Narrow Leaved Lacebark, Mahoe and Tarata. Sparse understory of assorted ferns and coprosma.

At approx 1500m asl, with
@carey-knox-southern-scales. Drawn to light. This looks like Hydriomena hemizona but I notice that it has antenna pectinations, unlike any of the other records of H. hemizona. 3 or 4 of these came to light.

I finally got around to checking out the sole patch of Helichrysum lanceolatum at Possums' End. About 6 bushes perched precariously on the edge of a rock face, very exposed to the Northerly wind, about 12m long by 1m wide. I was very pleasantly surprised when several moths took to the air when I gave the shrubs a good rattle. 2 were photographed and uploaded as individual observations, before returning them to their homes. A nice start to 2023.

I finally got around to checking out the sole patch of Helichrysum lanceolatum at Possums' End. About 6 bushes perched precariously on the edge of a rock face, very exposed to the Northerly wind, about 12m long by 1m wide. I was very pleasantly surprised when several moths took to the air when I gave the shrubs a good rattle. 2 were photographed and uploaded as individual observations, before returning them to their homes. A nice start to 2023.

Loads of these at the summit but a an effort to get close enough to them since they're very reactive to movement.

Additionally, some sort of fly was trying to snatch them when they landed. The fly was smaller than these, but I did get a shot of one grabbing and pinning down a Sod Webworm.

Some observations straight from camera via phone

Some festive mothing with @carey-knox-southern-scales. 14 degrees, very still and humid. From the top of Dicksons Hill. Drawn to light. Not 100% sure on ID, but probably another new moth for this locale.

This is a moth caught by @carey-knox-southern-scales at a UV light trap. He has recorded it here https://inaturalist.nz/observations/140856391. These photographs of the moth are added here in case they may provide additional useful information.