Theretra oldenlandiae (Impatiens Hawk Moth)
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: North Western Australia, Northern Territory, Eastern Queensland & coastal NSW
Sighted at Claire Cottage October, January, February, March & April.
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: North Western Australia, Northern Territory, Eastern Queensland & coastal NSW
Sighted at Claire Cottage October, January, February, March & April.
The caudal horn of T. oldenlandiae 4th instar is straight and slender and the larva waves it around as it moves. It's the only Hawk moth larva that we are aware of that does this.
Theretra oldenlandiae (Impatiens Hawk Moth)
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: North Western Australia, Northern Territory, eastern Queensland & coastal NSW
Sighted at Claire Cottage October, January, February, March & April.
Moth Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU:
- Oct 2020 (2),
- Jan 2021, 2024,
- Feb 2004, 2005, 2014, 2018 (2), 2022, 2023, 2024 (4),
- Mar 2020, 2024;
- Apr 2020
- ELSEWHERE: Forestville, Sydney 1980's & 1990's
Larva Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: Feb 2004
- ELSEWHERE: Forestville, Sydney 1980's, 1990's, 2000's & specifically March 2006
Larval food plants:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU:
- VITACEAE: Cayratia clematidea, Cissus antarctica, Cissus oblonga, Vitis vinifera*
- ELSEWHERE: As for Dorrigo Plateau plus
- ARACEAE: Alocasia macrorrhizos*(Giant Taro), Zantedeschia aethiopica*(Arum lily),
- BALSAMINACEAE: Impatiens balsamina (Balsam)*, Impatiens oliveri (Balsam)*, Impatiens wallerana (Balsam)*,
- BIGNONIACEAE: Clystostoma callistegioides*(Argentine Trumpet Vine),
- DILLENIACEAE: Hibbertia scandens (Golden Guinea Vine),
- LECYTHIDACEAE: Planchonia careya (Cocky Apple),
- ONAGRACEAE: Clarkia concinna*(Godetia), Clarkia unguiculata*(Clarkia), Epilobium Sp., Fuchsia hybrids*, Ludwigia hyssopifolia, Ludwigia octovalvis*,
- RUBIACEAE: Coelospermum reticulatum, Heyyotis sp., Pentas lanceolata*(Pentas), Richardia brasiliensis (Mexican Clover), Richardia scabra
- VITACEAE: Ampelocissus acetosa, Ampelocissus gardineri, Cissus opacea,
Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau: Thought to be September to April
Flight habit: Nocturnal - Active at night.
Adult Moth: Size at rest - tip of thorax to tip of forewing: ?? - ??mm
Mature larva: length - ??mm.
Larva colour form: Final instar: Predominently velvety Black.
Eye Spots: Final instar 8-orange/red/blue centred.
Other distinguishing features: Thin long waving caudal horn in final instar.
Caudal Horn: Larger straight backward pointing in young larva, shorter black with a white tip still backward pointing in final instar.
Interesting Observation: Oct 2020 two adults attracted to our moth light were caged over night and freely deposited a dozen eggs on cuttings of Cayratia clematidea. Both moths were released the following night (25/10/20).