Macroglossum nubilum
This moth is restricted to Australia's north and is not found on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Cape Tribulation FNQ to Townsville FNQ
This moth is restricted to Australia's north and is not found on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Cape Tribulation FNQ to Townsville FNQ
Macroglossum nubilum, Whyanbeel, FNQ, 6 Jun 2019
Macroglossum nubilum, Whyanbeel, FNQ, 6 Jun 2019
5th instar Macroglossum nubilum, Cape Tribulation FNQ, May 2018
Final instar Brown form larva, Whyanbeel FNQ, May 2014
Two final instar larvae Brown form, Whyanbeel FNQ, May 2014
Showing variation in colour forms, Final instar larva is brown, earlier instar larvae are green or brown. Whyanbeel FNQ, May 2014
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A brown penultimate final instar larva, Whyanbeel FNQ, May 2014
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A richly coloured Brown form larva in its final instar. Whyanbeel, May 2014
A slightly forward-curved horn with a white tip, clearly apparent in the final instar
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This early instar larva has a long straight horn with no white tip
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Macroglossum nubilum
This moth is restricted to Australia's north and is not found on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Cape Tribulation, FNQ to Whyanbeel FNQ
Moth Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: Not applicable
- ELSEWHERE: Whyanbeel, FNQ June 2019
Larva Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: Not applicable
- ELSEWHERE: Whyanbeel, FNQ May 2014, Cape Tribulation FNQ 2018
Larval food plants:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: Not applicable
- ELSEWHERE: RUBIACEAE: Morinda citrifolia (Stinking Cheese tree), Coelospermum paniculatum, (uncommon vine),
Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau: Not applicable.
Breeding season in FNQ: Thought to be continuous throughout the year.
Flight habit: Nocturnal - Active at night including early evening.
Adult Moth: Size at rest - tip of thorax to tip of forewing: ?? - ??mm
Mature larva: length - ??mm. Colour forms in the final instar are shades of Brown.
Interesting note: The first recorded sighting of a pre adult stage for this moth was made by our daughter Wynne Robinson of Whyanbeel, FNQ (Wynne found an egg on Morinda citrifolia) in April 2011 following which the resultant larva was reared through to the adult stage by Jim Tuttle to confirm it's species. See email copy below
Jim Tuttle
Sat 23/04/2011 10:22 AM
Wynne:
I was successful in rearing the larvae that we found on the Morinda citrifolia and the adults have emerged. They turned out to be Macroglossum nubilum. Not only had Max and I not reared it, it has never been reared by anyone to our knowledge, and the life history was unknown. A great find, all due to your interest and eagle eyes. Many thanks... looking forward to trying another species next year. Perhaps we can find more plants with the name tags already attached .
Jim
