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.

NOTE: VERY SIMILAR SPECIES - Theretra tryoni differs from an almost identical Hawkmoth Theretra latreillii in lacking the dull white stripe on the thorax adjacent to the wing base. In all other regards the two species appear identical.

Theretra tryoni, Claire Cottage Dorrigo NSW, 12 Oct 2017

Theretra tryoni, Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau, NSW. 2 Apr 2010

Theretra tryoni, lacking the dull white stripe on the thorax, Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau, NSW, 2 April 2010

Theretra latreillii, showing the dull white stripe on the thorax adjacent to the wing base.

Theretra tryoni, Claire Cottage Dorrigo Plateau NSW, 2 Nov 2017

Theretra tryoni, Claire Cottage Dorrigo Plateau NSW, 2 Nov 2017

Theretra tryoni adult, Bellingen NSW, 18 Feb 2014,

Theretra tryoni, its final instar larva and pupa (below) collected in Bellingen, NSW in Feb 2018, this moth emerged from its pupa on 20th March 2018

Pupa of below larva and above moth, Claire Cottage Dorrigo Plateau, 23 Feb 2018

Final instar Theretra tryoni larva collected Bellingen NSW, 13 Feb 2018 - the adult (see 2 photos above) emerged from its pupa on 20th March 2018

Theretra tryoni adult of larva (2 photos below), 7 Apr 2019

Theretra tryoni adult of larva (photo below), showing the underside of its wings, 7 Apr 2019

As we are feeding this Theretra tryoni larva in the house, we have given it a cardboard tube to hide in during daylight hours, 27 Feb 2019

Theretra tryoni, egg laid on underside of Alocasia brisbanenis, Claire Cottage, 20 Jan 2010

Theretra tryoni, 1st instar larva on Alocasia brisbanenis, Claire Cottage, 19 Feb 2010

Theretra tryoni, 2nd instar larva, Claire Cottage, 2 Apr 2017

Theretra tryoni, 3rd instar larva, Claire Cottage Dorrigo Plateau NSW, 2 Apr 2017

Theretra tryoni, final instar larva Brown form, Claire Cottage 14 Feb 2010

One of our Alocasia patches after many Theretra tryoni larva had matured and pupated there.

During the day larger Theretra tryoni larvae crawl and hide in the stems of Alocasia, Claire Cottage Dorrigo, 3 Mar 2018

Theretra tryoni larvae come out at night to feed - this one is hiding head first. Claire Cottage Dorrigo, 3 Mar 2018

Theretra tryoni, 3rd instar larva enjoying a feed on Alocasia, Claire Cottage Dorrigo, 2 April 2017

Theretra tryoni, final instar feeding on Taro, Wonga Beach FNQ, 4 Apr 2005

Theretra tryoni pupating, Claire Cottage Dorrigo Plateau, 3 Mar 2019

Theretra tryoni cocoon opened to reveal pupa, 4 Apr 2019

A Theretra tryoni pupa, Claire Cottage Dorrigo, 10 Jan 2015

3rd instar Theretra tryoni larva's caudal horn is long and straight

Theretra tryoni green form 5th instar larva's caudal horn is shorter and downward curved

Theretra tryoni brown form 5th instar larva's caudal horn is short and downward curved with a white tip.

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:  Jan 2010, Feb 2010, Mar 2018, Apr 2017,
• ELSEWHERE:  Bellingen Island, Bellingen, NSW 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2 April 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:  length - ??mm.    
Colour forms: Final instar:  green, orange or brown forms.
Eye Spots: 2 equal size on the 1st & 2nd abdominal segments.
Other distinguishing features: Two shades of colour on body - darker on top half, lighter below.
Caudal Horn: Brown, short, thick with a white tip, backwards curving.

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.