Acosmeryx miskini
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: FNQ Cape York (Cape Tribulation) to Wollongong, NSW
Sighted at Claire Cottage: between November & March.
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: FNQ Cape York (Cape Tribulation) to Wollongong, NSW
Sighted at Claire Cottage: between November & March.
Acosmeryx miskini
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: FNQ Cape York (Cape Tribulation) to Wollongong, NSW
Moth Sightings:
Larva Sightings:
Larval food plants:
Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau: Thought to be September to April
Flight habit: Nocturnal - Active at night.
Adult Moth: Two colour forms, GREY most commonly and occasionally BROWN. (see photos above).
Adult Moth: Size at rest - tip of thorax to tip of forewing: 60mm
Adult Moth: Size forewing tip to forewing tip: 55mm
Mature larva: length - ??mm.
Colour form: Final (5th) instar: Green.
Eye Spots: None
Other distinguishing features:
Caudal Horn: Colour is Brown with a strong backward-curving shape in 5th instar. In 1st instar through to 4th instar it is long and forward curving.
ADULT: ID Aid for the two Acosmeryx species found in Dorrigo, Acosmeryx miskini and Acosmeryx cinnamomea.
A. miskini can be distinguished from A. cinnamomea in several ways.
A. miskini 'discal spot' - white but sometimes tending light brown. A. cinnamomea 'discal spot' brown or absent.
A. miskini has a black or dark brown line in the centre of the head & thorax. A. cinnamomea mostly lacks this line.
A. miskini has 4 large black or dark brown abdominal markings showing on segments 3 & 4. A. cinnamomea lacks these markings.
A. miskini has a grey to light grey overall appearance. A. cinnamomea appears to be allways in various shades of brown.
A. miskini has blackish to dark brown hindwings rather than a more reddish brown as A. cinnamomea & A. anceus have.
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: FNQ Cape York (Cape Tribulation) to Wollongong, NSW
Moth Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU:
- 1 in Nov 2023;
- 6 in Dec 2018, 2021; 2023(4)
- 4 in Jan 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024;
- 2 in Feb 2004, 2024;
- 1 in Mar 2020;
- ELSEWHERE: None to date
Larva Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: None to date
- ELSEWHERE: None to date
Larval food plants:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: VITACEAE - Cayratia clematidea, Cissus antarctica, Cissus oblonga, Vitis sp.
- ELSEWHERE: (as for Dorrigo Plateau)
Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau: Thought to be September to April
Flight habit: Nocturnal - Active at night.
Adult Moth: Two colour forms, GREY most commonly and occasionally BROWN. (see photos above).
Adult Moth: Size at rest - tip of thorax to tip of forewing: 60mm
Adult Moth: Size forewing tip to forewing tip: 55mm
Mature larva: length - ??mm.
Colour form: Final (5th) instar: Green.
Eye Spots: None
Other distinguishing features:
Caudal Horn: Colour is Brown with a strong backward-curving shape in 5th instar. In 1st instar through to 4th instar it is long and forward curving.
ADULT: ID Aid for the two Acosmeryx species found in Dorrigo, Acosmeryx miskini and Acosmeryx cinnamomea.
A. miskini can be distinguished from A. cinnamomea in several ways.
A. miskini 'discal spot' - white but sometimes tending light brown. A. cinnamomea 'discal spot' brown or absent.
A. miskini has a black or dark brown line in the centre of the head & thorax. A. cinnamomea mostly lacks this line.
A. miskini has 4 large black or dark brown abdominal markings showing on segments 3 & 4. A. cinnamomea lacks these markings.
A. miskini has a grey to light grey overall appearance. A. cinnamomea appears to be allways in various shades of brown.
A. miskini has blackish to dark brown hindwings rather than a more reddish brown as A. cinnamomea & A. anceus have.