Theretra tryoni (Tryon's Hawk Moth)
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Eastern Queensland (nr Cooktown), south to Sydney N.S.W.
Sighted at Claire Cottage between December & April.
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CARE: ALMOST IDENTICAL SPECIES
Theretra inornata --- Theretra latreillii --- Theretra tryoni
These three Theretra species occur in similar size and colouring and their distribution range has many overlaps.
Theretra inornata
* has a whitish stripe on the thorax adjacent to the wing base, intensity may vary between specimens.
* has one distinct dark medial stripe on the forewing from near central inner margin to near wing apex where it fades - then often replaced by a second short blurred stripe to apex.
* medial stripe reaches apex ? - not always - sometimes becomes blurred near apex, and sometimes ends just short of apex.
* discal spot - sometimes present, very small, black in colour.
* lacks any medial stripe dark spots at vein interruptions.
* lacks any partially developed supplementary stripes.
Theretra latreillii -
* has a dull white stripe on the thorax adjacent to the wing base, intensity may vary between specimens.
* has its medial stripe on the forewing often interrupted at vein intersections, interruptions are marked by a dark spot.
* has partially developed supplementary stripes parallel with the medial stripe.
* often has a black termen on the forewings (care may not be present in every specimen).
* may have black patches on the abdomen (care they are not always visible).
Theretra tryoni
* has its medial stripe on the forewing often interrupted at vein intersections, interruptions are marked by a dark spot.
* has partially developed supplementary stripes parallel with the medial stripe.
* has a black & white termen on the forewings (care may not be obvious in a well worn specimen).
* lacks black patches on the abdomen
* lacks the dull white stripe on the thorax adjacent to the wing base.
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We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Eastern Queensland (nr Cooktown), south to Sydney N.S.W.
Sighted at Claire Cottage between December & April.
***********************************************************************************************
CARE: ALMOST IDENTICAL SPECIES
Theretra inornata --- Theretra latreillii --- Theretra tryoni
These three Theretra species occur in similar size and colouring and their distribution range has many overlaps.
Theretra inornata
* has a whitish stripe on the thorax adjacent to the wing base, intensity may vary between specimens.
* has one distinct dark medial stripe on the forewing from near central inner margin to near wing apex where it fades - then often replaced by a second short blurred stripe to apex.
* medial stripe reaches apex ? - not always - sometimes becomes blurred near apex, and sometimes ends just short of apex.
* discal spot - sometimes present, very small, black in colour.
* lacks any medial stripe dark spots at vein interruptions.
* lacks any partially developed supplementary stripes.
Theretra latreillii -
* has a dull white stripe on the thorax adjacent to the wing base, intensity may vary between specimens.
* has its medial stripe on the forewing often interrupted at vein intersections, interruptions are marked by a dark spot.
* has partially developed supplementary stripes parallel with the medial stripe.
* often has a black termen on the forewings (care may not be present in every specimen).
* may have black patches on the abdomen (care they are not always visible).
Theretra tryoni
* has its medial stripe on the forewing often interrupted at vein intersections, interruptions are marked by a dark spot.
* has partially developed supplementary stripes parallel with the medial stripe.
* has a black & white termen on the forewings (care may not be obvious in a well worn specimen).
* lacks black patches on the abdomen
* lacks the dull white stripe on the thorax adjacent to the wing base.
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The following photos show a progression of parastised eggs of Theretra tryoni and the resultant wasps of the SCELIONIDAE genus Telenomus sp. that hatched out of the eggs. One egg held seven wasps. The wasps measured 1 mm.
Theretra tryoni (Tryon's Hawk Moth)
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Eastern Queensland (near Cooktown) to Sydney, New South Wales.
Moth Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU:
- Oct 2017,
- Dec 2018,
- Mar (eclosed 01/03/20),
- Apr 2010, (eclosed 07/04/19),
- ELSEWHERE: Wonga Beach, FNQ May 2014,
Egg Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: ARACEAE: Alocasia brisbanensis (Cunjevoi) Jan 2010
- ELSEWHERE: ARACEAE: Alocasia brisbanensis (Cunjevoi) Bellingen Island, Bellingen, NSW frequently.
Larva Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: (a=green final instar)
- Jan 2010,
- Feb 2010, 2024(5th instar),
- Mar 2018,
- Apr 2017,
- ELSEWHERE: Bellingen Island, Bellingen, NSW 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, Wonga Beach, FNQ. 4 April 2005
Pupa Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU (Claire Cottage) : Jan 2015, April 2010,
- ELSEWHERE: None to date.
Larval food plants:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU:
- ARACEAE: Alocasia brisbanensis (Cunjevoi)
- ELSEWHERE: As for Dorrigo Plateau plus
- ARACEAE: Alocasia cucullata*, A. macrorrhizos*(Elephant-ear Taro) Colocasia esculenta*(Taro), Crytosperma johnstonii*, Remusatia vivipara*, Zantedeschia aethiopica*(Arum Lily),
Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau: Thought to be September to April.
Flight habit: Nocturnal - Active at night.
Adult Moth: Colour fawn / shades of light brown;
Size at rest - tip of thorax to tip of forewing: 50mm; top of forewing horizontally to tip of other forewing: 42mm
Mature larva (5th & final instar): length - 90mm.
Colour forms: Final instar: green, orange or brown forms.
Eye Spots: 2 equal size on the 1st & 2nd abdominal segments.
Other distinguishing features: Two similar shades of colour on body - darker on top half, slightly lighter below.
Caudal Horn: backwards curving, always short, see photos above. Green in Green form larva, Brown in Brown form larva. May have a white tip.
Interesting Facts: Theretra tryoni seems to pupate in its leaf litter cocoon lying on its back. It would be interesting to see how the emerging moth then negotiates the journey to position itself to safely exit the sparsely webbed cocoon that is holding leaf litter firmly around it.