Theretra queenslandi (Stinging Tree Hawk Moth - has a Southern form and a Northern form)
We have found this moth (Southern form) at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Southern form - Atherton Tableland, QLD south through coastal QLD and NSW to Wallaga Lake, near Bega, far southern NSW. Northern form - Atherton Tableland, QLD north to New Guinea.
Sighted at Claire Cottage between November & February.
We have found this moth (Southern form) at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Southern form - Atherton Tableland, QLD south through coastal QLD and NSW to Wallaga Lake, near Bega, far southern NSW. Northern form - Atherton Tableland, QLD north to New Guinea.
Sighted at Claire Cottage between November & February.
Theretra queenslandi (Stinging Tree Hawk Moth - has a Southern form and a Northern form)
We have found this moth (Southern form) at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Southern form - Atherton Tableland, QLD south through coastal QLD and NSW to Wallaga Lake, near Bega, far southern NSW. Northern form - Atherton Tableland, QLD north to New Guinea.
Sighted at Claire Cottage between November & February.
Moth Sightings:
Larva Sightings:
Pupa Sightings:
Larval food plants:
Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau: Thought to be September to April
Flight habit: Nocturnal - Active at night.
Time to light - Dec 2018-2200 hrs & between 02.30&04.30.
Adult Moth: Colour ranges light browns; Size at rest - tip of thorax to tip of forewing: 65mm
Mature larva: length - ??mm.
Colour forms: Final instar: a green form and a brown form.
Eye Spots: one each side on abdominal segment slightly raised, white with blue centre and a tiny central white spot.
Other distinguishing features: faint pale diagnal stripes both sides.
Caudal Horn: dark-red or green coloured, thick, short, slight curve backwards.
We have found this moth (Southern form) at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Southern form - Atherton Tableland, QLD south through coastal QLD and NSW to Wallaga Lake, near Bega, far southern NSW. Northern form - Atherton Tableland, QLD north to New Guinea.
Sighted at Claire Cottage between November & February.
Moth Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: (2012 - 2024)
- Oct 2020 (see pupa information below),
- 4inNov 2012, 2020 (3),
- 9inDec 2018 (3), 2019 (3) - same night 21.15, 21.30, 22.00), 2021 (22.15), 2023 (2) (20.30)
- 7inJan 2021 (2), 2022 (2)(23.00), 2024 (2+1)(23.00)(21.30),
- 5inFeb 2019, 2021 (21.30), 2022 (3) (22.00, 23.00, 00.00)
- 2inMar 2023 (00.30), 2024 (22.30)
- ELSEWHERE: Bellingen Island, Jan 2015
Larva Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: None to Date
- ELSEWHERE: Bellingen Island, Bellingen, NSW Apr 2010, Dec 2014
Pupa Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: None to Date
- ELSEWHERE: Bellingen Island, Bellingen, NSW Apr 2020 (eclosed @ Claire Cottage 31/10/20).
Larval food plants:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU:
- URTICACEAE: Dendrocnide excelsa (Giant Stinging Tree), D. photinophylla (Shining-leaved Stinging Tree),
- ELSEWHERE: As for Dorrigo Plateau plus
- URTICACEAE: Dendrocnide moroides (Gympie Stinger), Pipturus argenteus (Native mulberry),
Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau: Thought to be September to April
Flight habit: Nocturnal - Active at night.
Time to light - Dec 2018-2200 hrs & between 02.30&04.30.
Adult Moth: Colour ranges light browns; Size at rest - tip of thorax to tip of forewing: 65mm
Mature larva: length - ??mm.
Colour forms: Final instar: a green form and a brown form.
Eye Spots: one each side on abdominal segment slightly raised, white with blue centre and a tiny central white spot.
Other distinguishing features: faint pale diagnal stripes both sides.
Caudal Horn: dark-red or green coloured, thick, short, slight curve backwards.