Psilogramma species overview (under development)
To Date, 2018, there have been seven mainland species of Australian Psilogrammas identified.
At that time with our limited experience of observing adults (and photographs) of just some of these seven species, we think they may all have similar markings and somewhat similar colour ranges. We lacked confidence at that time to achieve accurate visual identifications however David Lane kindly gave us some guidance.
It is our understanding that there is a variance in size between the seven species with possibly P. papuensis frequently producing the largest specimens.
Likewise at this time we are unable to comment on how to separate the larva of each of the seven species. We are presuming they will all look similar and may have some similar food plants? We imagine the Australian Hawkmoth book under development in 2018 will answer this question for us once published. For us meanwhile it has been an interesting study trying to discover ways of identifying each of these seven very similar Psilogramma species.
To Date, 2018, there have been seven mainland species of Australian Psilogrammas identified.
At that time with our limited experience of observing adults (and photographs) of just some of these seven species, we think they may all have similar markings and somewhat similar colour ranges. We lacked confidence at that time to achieve accurate visual identifications however David Lane kindly gave us some guidance.
It is our understanding that there is a variance in size between the seven species with possibly P. papuensis frequently producing the largest specimens.
Likewise at this time we are unable to comment on how to separate the larva of each of the seven species. We are presuming they will all look similar and may have some similar food plants? We imagine the Australian Hawkmoth book under development in 2018 will answer this question for us once published. For us meanwhile it has been an interesting study trying to discover ways of identifying each of these seven very similar Psilogramma species.
Please note: there are seven known species of Psilogramma in Australia. They all resemble each other in appearance. Identification therefore requires great care. Of assistance is knowing where your specimen was sighted. Utilising some of the descriptive aids found in 'Hawkmoths of Australia' Moulds, Tuttle and Lane, (page 212) will prove of great benefit in attempting to identify adult Psilogramma's. Factors such as the condition of your photographed specimen and the quality of your photograph will both play an important role in assisting identification.
Psilogramma species overview (under development)
Above photos left to right: Psilogramma menephron nebulosa, Psilogramma casuarinae, Psilogramma papuensis.
(All species descriptions are being developed imagining moths at rest like the three photographed above).
The eight known Australian Psilogramma species (includes Psilogramma discistriga discistriga - only found on Christmas Island) are listed below. We are attempting to identify each species by their visible body and wing markings. their size and colours.
(Note in an effort to assist us with this documentation we have also looked at images on the WWW).
Size: Measurements (1) taken from tip of thorax to tip of either wing with the live specimen sitting at rest. (2) In addition a second useful measurement of live specimens is the distance wing tip to wing tip.
- Psilogramma argos (Argos Hawk Moth) -- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma casuarinae (Privet Hawk Moth)-- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma discistriga discistriga -- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma exigua -- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma maxmouldsi -- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma menephron nebulosa -- (1) 65mm -- (2)
- Psilogramma papuensis -- (1) 80mm -- (2)
- Psilogramma penumbra -- (1) -- (2)
UNDER DEVELOPMENT
* Psilogramma argos (1999) (Argos Hawk Moth) - found in northern W.A., N.T. & FNQ (south west of the coast to Toomba WNW of Charters Towers) - we have not sighted this moth.
Brief Description: A pale grey species. With black overlay forewing markings. Grey abdomen but with no dark dorsal line.
Its larval foodplant is Stinkwood ( Gyrocarpus americanus, HERNANDIACEAE )
The larva reaches a length of about 8 cms.
Wings colour is pale grey, with black markings. The abdomen is grey, with no dark dorsal line.
* Psilogramma casuarinae (1856) (Privet Hawk Moth)- found in QLD, NSW, ACT & VIC - we think we have sighted this moth. (Centre Photo above)
Brief Description: A slate grey species. With black overlay forewing markings.
The adult moth has long narrow forewings which are a boring grey colour, with a darker grey wavy pattern. Unlike other Psilogramma species, there is no white dot near the middle of each forewing. The hindwings are dark grey, each with a pale area containing a wavy black line at the tornus. The abdomen is grey with a dark dorsal line. / The absence of a white discal dot is an indicator of casuarinae.
* Psilogramma discistriga discistriga (1856) - found on Christmas Island - we have not sighted this moth.
* Psilogramma exigua (2010) - found in northern WA, N.T. & FNQ - we have not sighted this moth.
Brief Description: This species has greyish forewings with variable darker grey and white wavy patterns.
* Psilogramma maxmouldsi (2001)- found in SE QLD and NE NSW - we have not sighted this moth.
Brief Description: This species has a white underside patch on the thorax at the forewing joint on the thorax.
* Psilogramma menephron nebulosa (1876) - found in coastal QLD & NSW (south to Mid North Coast) - we have sighted this moth. (Left Photo above)
FOREWINGS: overall DARKISH BROWN to GREYISH-BROWN. With a distinctive overlay of black and whitish markings.
THORAX: GREYISH-BROWN with a BLACK line edge. Where it adjoins the abdomen (sometimes with a fine orange line) it has an outline 'plan view' of what looks like a small animal head with two black ear markings (sometimes displaying a fine spot of blue) and two black eye markings
* Psilogramma papuensis (2001) - found in coastal QLD from CYP south to Mackay & Eungella - we have sighted this moth. (Right Photo above)
BASE COLOURS OF FRESH SPECIMEN: Dark Grey 25%, White/ish areas 60% & Dark Brown/Black 15%
SIZE: (tip of thorax to tip of forewing) - 80mms. It is a much larger species than P. casuarinae.
FOREWING COLOURS: base colour GREY with BLACK and WHITE markings.
FOREWING DESIGN: each wing has 3 darker areas (varying from dark GREY to BLACK) which are mostly surrounded on their boundaries by black lines/bands after which a colour change occurs.
The 1st darker area (dark GREY to BLACK) adjoins the thorax and is a similar size to the 2nd darker area (dark GREY to BLACK) on the wing tip. The 3rd largest and darkest dark area (dark GREYISH to BLACKISH) is mid-way between the two smaller dark GREY areas and is bordering the leading edge of the wing.
Between each of these darker areas are a series of wavy WHITE lines set on a GREY background.
Two BLACK lines (of differing lengths) are clearly visible, when the moth is at rest, coming from the abdomen side of the 3rd (mid-wing) dark area running almost parallel to the abdomen.
FOREWING CELL SPOT: Each forewing has a cell spot within the 3rd (mid-wing) dark area. For P. papuensis this cell spot is WHITE and is fully surrounded by the dark area.
HINDWING COLOURS: base colour BLACK/DARK BROWN 80% with a small GREY 15% and WHITE 5% patch on the bottom corner (tornus) of the wing close to the abdomen.
HINDWING DESIGN: Plain uniform BLACK/DARK BROWN colour with the small tornus patch being grey with two small irregular white marks and smaller irregular black marks.
THORAX: GREY with a BLACK line around edge. Where it adjoins the abdomen, sometimes there is a very fine ORANGE line. There is also a thin WHITISH line 'plan view' outlining what looks like the head of a small animal with two BLACK ear markings, sometimes these display fine spots of BLUE, and there are two BLACK eye-like markings completing the animal head image.
ABDOMEN: GREY with a central BLACK line. Each Segment is bordered by a fine horizontal BLACK line.
* Psilogramma penumbra (2011)- found in coastal areas of north eastern W.A & N. T. - we have not sighted this moth.
Brief Description: Base colour of fresh specimens dark brown, tending black. Highlighted forewing markings whitish with dark brownish areas. Small (1mm diameter) forewing cell spot cream, ringed by heavy black concentric circle.
Native food plants (but Psilogramma larvae species not identified)
* 13-02-19 - Hawkesbury area, nr Sydney, NSW - feeding on Pandorea Pandorana - found by Chriss Short
Using 'Hawkmoths of Australia' (Moulds, Tuttle & Lane 2020) as an example we have also developed our own KEY to assist us with Psilogramma ids - Psilogrammas are far from easy to confidently id.
Our Psilogramma Key
(CC indicates possible to sight @ Claire Cottage,Dorrigo,NSW & W possible to sight @ Whyanbeel FNQ)
Psilogramma argos W
Abdominal mid-line Not present or sometimes present but very faint
Forewing Discal spot Usually white with no black border
Forewing colouration Pale grey, subtle white overtones, variable black markings
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Not present
Outer margin checkered fringe White bars much longer than black ones
Thorax (above) Light grey (similar colour to Abdomen)
Thoracic shoulder Small white spot adjacent to wing
Tornal Patch Appears pale grey
Psilogramma casuarinae W & CC
Abdominal mid-line Present – running full length of abdomen
Forewing Discal spot Visible in only a few specimens, some very faint
Forewing colouration Shades of grey overlaid with black and dull white but never brown hues
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Not visible
Outer margin checkered fringe White bars mostly bigger than black ones
Thorax (above) Usually light grey, sometimes dark grey, often paler than abdomen
Thoracic shoulder Never with white
Tornal Patch Grey & white
Psilogramma exigua W
Abdominal mid-line Present – running full length
Forewing Discal spot Usually visible mostly white within a black or dark grey border
Forewing colouration Greyish black diffused with black markings also with dull white and some brown shading – variable
Inverted pale U or V shape marking None present
Outer margin checkered fringe Black bars slightly longer than white ones
Thorax (above) Usually light grey, sometimes dark grey and often paler than abdomen
Thoracic shoulder Never with white
Tornal Patch Partly black
Psilogramma maxmouldsi CC
Abdominal mid-line Present, running full length
Forewing Discal spot Sometimes visible grey (never white) within a black/dark grey ring
Forewing colouration Light to mid grey, overlaid with white, heavily marked with black and sometimes brown, markings variable
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Present usually distinct
Outer margin checkered fringe Usually some black bars longer than the white ones
Thorax (above) Light to mid grey, seldom dark grey, never black
Thoracic shoulder Perhaps a small white patch immediately in front of forewing base.
Tornal Patch Black & white
Psilogramma menephron nebulosa W & CC
Abdominal mid-line Present - black line running full length.
Forewing Discal spot Usually a white distinct spot (no black outer edge)
Forewing colouration Variable – usually brown to dark brown (rarely dark grey) overlaid with black & grey and sometimes white.
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Yes – usually distinct
Outer margin checkered fringe Present – black bars appear rounded
Thorax (above) Usually brown to dark brown or blackish. Or mottled brown and dark grey rarely greyish black
Thoracic shoulder No white patch
Tornal Patch Usually black & white sometimes brown & white
Psilogramma papuensis W
Abdominal mid-line Present
Forewing Discal spot Distinct usually white (occasionally grey) with a black border
Forewing colouration Light grey with contrasting black & often strong white variable markings
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Usually distinct
Outer margin checkered fringe Black bars usually shorter than white ones
Thorax (above) Usually light grey, sometimes tending to dark grey, usually paler than abdomen.
Thoracic shoulder Dull white, sometimes pure white
Tornal Patch Light to dark grey
Psilogramma penumbra
Abdominal mid-line Present
Forewing Discal spot Usually visible but not always clearly defined
Forewing colouration Dark brown to blackish, overlaid with black and grey and sometimes white.
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Present
Outer margin checkered fringe White bars mostly slightly longer than black
Thorax (above) Dark brown to black and darker than brown or dark grey abdomen
Thoracic shoulder Pale brown, never white
Tornal Patch Black & white but sometimes entirely black
Psilogramma species - broad distribution by State
Psilogramma argos WA (north), NT (north), FNQ (to 60k west of Charters Towers)
Psilogramma casuarinae FNQ through NSW to VIC
Psilogramma exigua WA (north), NT (north), FNQ (to Townsville)
Psilogramma maxmouldsi SE QLD to NSW (Wingham Brush nr Taree)
Psilogramma menephron nebulosa FNQ to NSW (Hat Head nr Kempsey)
Psilogramma papuensis FNQ
Psilogramma penumbra WA (north), NT (north),
Psilogramma species overview (under development)
Above photos left to right: Psilogramma menephron nebulosa, Psilogramma casuarinae, Psilogramma papuensis.
(All species descriptions are being developed imagining moths at rest like the three photographed above).
The eight known Australian Psilogramma species (includes Psilogramma discistriga discistriga - only found on Christmas Island) are listed below. We are attempting to identify each species by their visible body and wing markings. their size and colours.
(Note in an effort to assist us with this documentation we have also looked at images on the WWW).
Size: Measurements (1) taken from tip of thorax to tip of either wing with the live specimen sitting at rest. (2) In addition a second useful measurement of live specimens is the distance wing tip to wing tip.
- Psilogramma argos (Argos Hawk Moth) -- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma casuarinae (Privet Hawk Moth)-- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma discistriga discistriga -- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma exigua -- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma maxmouldsi -- (1) -- (2)
- Psilogramma menephron nebulosa -- (1) 65mm -- (2)
- Psilogramma papuensis -- (1) 80mm -- (2)
- Psilogramma penumbra -- (1) -- (2)
UNDER DEVELOPMENT
* Psilogramma argos (1999) (Argos Hawk Moth) - found in northern W.A., N.T. & FNQ (south west of the coast to Toomba WNW of Charters Towers) - we have not sighted this moth.
Brief Description: A pale grey species. With black overlay forewing markings. Grey abdomen but with no dark dorsal line.
Its larval foodplant is Stinkwood ( Gyrocarpus americanus, HERNANDIACEAE )
The larva reaches a length of about 8 cms.
Wings colour is pale grey, with black markings. The abdomen is grey, with no dark dorsal line.
* Psilogramma casuarinae (1856) (Privet Hawk Moth)- found in QLD, NSW, ACT & VIC - we think we have sighted this moth. (Centre Photo above)
Brief Description: A slate grey species. With black overlay forewing markings.
The adult moth has long narrow forewings which are a boring grey colour, with a darker grey wavy pattern. Unlike other Psilogramma species, there is no white dot near the middle of each forewing. The hindwings are dark grey, each with a pale area containing a wavy black line at the tornus. The abdomen is grey with a dark dorsal line. / The absence of a white discal dot is an indicator of casuarinae.
* Psilogramma discistriga discistriga (1856) - found on Christmas Island - we have not sighted this moth.
* Psilogramma exigua (2010) - found in northern WA, N.T. & FNQ - we have not sighted this moth.
Brief Description: This species has greyish forewings with variable darker grey and white wavy patterns.
* Psilogramma maxmouldsi (2001)- found in SE QLD and NE NSW - we have not sighted this moth.
Brief Description: This species has a white underside patch on the thorax at the forewing joint on the thorax.
* Psilogramma menephron nebulosa (1876) - found in coastal QLD & NSW (south to Mid North Coast) - we have sighted this moth. (Left Photo above)
FOREWINGS: overall DARKISH BROWN to GREYISH-BROWN. With a distinctive overlay of black and whitish markings.
THORAX: GREYISH-BROWN with a BLACK line edge. Where it adjoins the abdomen (sometimes with a fine orange line) it has an outline 'plan view' of what looks like a small animal head with two black ear markings (sometimes displaying a fine spot of blue) and two black eye markings
* Psilogramma papuensis (2001) - found in coastal QLD from CYP south to Mackay & Eungella - we have sighted this moth. (Right Photo above)
BASE COLOURS OF FRESH SPECIMEN: Dark Grey 25%, White/ish areas 60% & Dark Brown/Black 15%
SIZE: (tip of thorax to tip of forewing) - 80mms. It is a much larger species than P. casuarinae.
FOREWING COLOURS: base colour GREY with BLACK and WHITE markings.
FOREWING DESIGN: each wing has 3 darker areas (varying from dark GREY to BLACK) which are mostly surrounded on their boundaries by black lines/bands after which a colour change occurs.
The 1st darker area (dark GREY to BLACK) adjoins the thorax and is a similar size to the 2nd darker area (dark GREY to BLACK) on the wing tip. The 3rd largest and darkest dark area (dark GREYISH to BLACKISH) is mid-way between the two smaller dark GREY areas and is bordering the leading edge of the wing.
Between each of these darker areas are a series of wavy WHITE lines set on a GREY background.
Two BLACK lines (of differing lengths) are clearly visible, when the moth is at rest, coming from the abdomen side of the 3rd (mid-wing) dark area running almost parallel to the abdomen.
FOREWING CELL SPOT: Each forewing has a cell spot within the 3rd (mid-wing) dark area. For P. papuensis this cell spot is WHITE and is fully surrounded by the dark area.
HINDWING COLOURS: base colour BLACK/DARK BROWN 80% with a small GREY 15% and WHITE 5% patch on the bottom corner (tornus) of the wing close to the abdomen.
HINDWING DESIGN: Plain uniform BLACK/DARK BROWN colour with the small tornus patch being grey with two small irregular white marks and smaller irregular black marks.
THORAX: GREY with a BLACK line around edge. Where it adjoins the abdomen, sometimes there is a very fine ORANGE line. There is also a thin WHITISH line 'plan view' outlining what looks like the head of a small animal with two BLACK ear markings, sometimes these display fine spots of BLUE, and there are two BLACK eye-like markings completing the animal head image.
ABDOMEN: GREY with a central BLACK line. Each Segment is bordered by a fine horizontal BLACK line.
* Psilogramma penumbra (2011)- found in coastal areas of north eastern W.A & N. T. - we have not sighted this moth.
Brief Description: Base colour of fresh specimens dark brown, tending black. Highlighted forewing markings whitish with dark brownish areas. Small (1mm diameter) forewing cell spot cream, ringed by heavy black concentric circle.
Native food plants (but Psilogramma larvae species not identified)
* 13-02-19 - Hawkesbury area, nr Sydney, NSW - feeding on Pandorea Pandorana - found by Chriss Short
Using 'Hawkmoths of Australia' (Moulds, Tuttle & Lane 2020) as an example we have also developed our own KEY to assist us with Psilogramma ids - Psilogrammas are far from easy to confidently id.
Our Psilogramma Key
(CC indicates possible to sight @ Claire Cottage,Dorrigo,NSW & W possible to sight @ Whyanbeel FNQ)
Psilogramma argos W
Abdominal mid-line Not present or sometimes present but very faint
Forewing Discal spot Usually white with no black border
Forewing colouration Pale grey, subtle white overtones, variable black markings
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Not present
Outer margin checkered fringe White bars much longer than black ones
Thorax (above) Light grey (similar colour to Abdomen)
Thoracic shoulder Small white spot adjacent to wing
Tornal Patch Appears pale grey
Psilogramma casuarinae W & CC
Abdominal mid-line Present – running full length of abdomen
Forewing Discal spot Visible in only a few specimens, some very faint
Forewing colouration Shades of grey overlaid with black and dull white but never brown hues
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Not visible
Outer margin checkered fringe White bars mostly bigger than black ones
Thorax (above) Usually light grey, sometimes dark grey, often paler than abdomen
Thoracic shoulder Never with white
Tornal Patch Grey & white
Psilogramma exigua W
Abdominal mid-line Present – running full length
Forewing Discal spot Usually visible mostly white within a black or dark grey border
Forewing colouration Greyish black diffused with black markings also with dull white and some brown shading – variable
Inverted pale U or V shape marking None present
Outer margin checkered fringe Black bars slightly longer than white ones
Thorax (above) Usually light grey, sometimes dark grey and often paler than abdomen
Thoracic shoulder Never with white
Tornal Patch Partly black
Psilogramma maxmouldsi CC
Abdominal mid-line Present, running full length
Forewing Discal spot Sometimes visible grey (never white) within a black/dark grey ring
Forewing colouration Light to mid grey, overlaid with white, heavily marked with black and sometimes brown, markings variable
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Present usually distinct
Outer margin checkered fringe Usually some black bars longer than the white ones
Thorax (above) Light to mid grey, seldom dark grey, never black
Thoracic shoulder Perhaps a small white patch immediately in front of forewing base.
Tornal Patch Black & white
Psilogramma menephron nebulosa W & CC
Abdominal mid-line Present - black line running full length.
Forewing Discal spot Usually a white distinct spot (no black outer edge)
Forewing colouration Variable – usually brown to dark brown (rarely dark grey) overlaid with black & grey and sometimes white.
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Yes – usually distinct
Outer margin checkered fringe Present – black bars appear rounded
Thorax (above) Usually brown to dark brown or blackish. Or mottled brown and dark grey rarely greyish black
Thoracic shoulder No white patch
Tornal Patch Usually black & white sometimes brown & white
Psilogramma papuensis W
Abdominal mid-line Present
Forewing Discal spot Distinct usually white (occasionally grey) with a black border
Forewing colouration Light grey with contrasting black & often strong white variable markings
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Usually distinct
Outer margin checkered fringe Black bars usually shorter than white ones
Thorax (above) Usually light grey, sometimes tending to dark grey, usually paler than abdomen.
Thoracic shoulder Dull white, sometimes pure white
Tornal Patch Light to dark grey
Psilogramma penumbra
Abdominal mid-line Present
Forewing Discal spot Usually visible but not always clearly defined
Forewing colouration Dark brown to blackish, overlaid with black and grey and sometimes white.
Inverted pale U or V shape marking Present
Outer margin checkered fringe White bars mostly slightly longer than black
Thorax (above) Dark brown to black and darker than brown or dark grey abdomen
Thoracic shoulder Pale brown, never white
Tornal Patch Black & white but sometimes entirely black
Psilogramma species - broad distribution by State
Psilogramma argos WA (north), NT (north), FNQ (to 60k west of Charters Towers)
Psilogramma casuarinae FNQ through NSW to VIC
Psilogramma exigua WA (north), NT (north), FNQ (to Townsville)
Psilogramma maxmouldsi SE QLD to NSW (Wingham Brush nr Taree)
Psilogramma menephron nebulosa FNQ to NSW (Hat Head nr Kempsey)
Psilogramma papuensis FNQ
Psilogramma penumbra WA (north), NT (north),
