dr_robert's Favorites

now what the heck is this...First thought was elachista, eg these guys: https://inaturalist.nz/observations/66820942 but this was a bit bigger and obviously the pattern is different. @dr_robert @nhudson

A couple of House Sparrows used our deck as a dining table for dismantling & eating Cicadas. Maybe an hours worth of feeding resulting in a pile of wings of which this is a small sample. I'm surprised the Sparrows could fly off at the end.

Floral arrangement by me - not the Sparrows

To finish off 2022... I think I may have found another site for Izatha psychra... Same catchment as the November record, but further up. (2.8 km straight line distance from the previous site Shaun and I found). @ 900 metres a.s.l. Must be a good population of them! Looks very much like the animal on the Wikipedia page. I have collected both of these individuals and have them safely stored at home. Will send up for examination if requested. Happy New Year! Nov record: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/140856391

Good night of mothing with @possums_end on top of Dickson's Hill. Usually a very windy spot, it was very calm and mild. Delighted with 10 new species for me in this upload (barring any incorrect IDs): Coleophora mayrella, Epichorista hemionana, Epiphryne verriculata (finally!!! ha ha), Glyphipterix triselena, Gymnobathra omphalota, Heterocrossa contactella, Pseudocoremia lupinata, Pseudocoremia pergrata, Pyrgotis eudorana, and the stinging nettle undescribed Meterana sp.

Maybe?... Here are the moths recorded during our survey for the 'Threatened-Nationally Critical' Kahurangi skink (Oligosoma kahurangi). Day flying plus one night. The weather only allowed for one night of mothing (strong winds and rain on the other nights). Nonetheless, some very interesting moths and I wish I could have undertaken another night or two.

I think this moth is in the I. cana group, but I. cana is not known from this far north. I tossed up between I. eris and I. fibriata. I went with I. fibriata eventually based on the orbicular and reniform stigma being partially edged in black (versus not edged in black in I. eris - using the Noctuinae part 2 guide). I hope I got this correct, but I could be barking up the wrong tree (or even in the wrong forest!). Here are the moths recorded during our survey for the 'Threatened-Nationally Critical' Kahurangi skink (Oligosoma kahurangi). Day flying plus one night. The weather only allowed for one night of mothing (strong winds and rain on the other nights). Nonetheless, some very interesting moths and I wish I could have undertaken another night or two.

Day-flying moths from wetlands around the Titan Rocks 1,100-1,200 metres a.s.l. Day-flying moths were very abundant. You could barely take a step without seeing one. I also saw some adult Metacrias flying, but they were too quick on the day. Found the caterpillars though.

Day-flying moths from wetlands around the Titan Rocks 1,100-1,200 metres a.s.l. Day-flying moths were very abundant. You could barely take a step without seeing one. I also saw some adult Metacrias flying, but they were too quick on the day. Found the caterpillars though.

Day-flying moths from wetlands around the Titan Rocks 1,100-1,200 metres a.s.l. Day-flying moths were very abundant. You could barely take a step without seeing one. I also saw some adult Metacrias flying, but they were too quick on the day. Found the caterpillars though.

This is a moth caught by @carey-knox-southern-scales at a UV light trap. He has recorded it here https://inaturalist.nz/observations/140856391. These photographs of the moth are added here in case they may provide additional useful information.

Is this the first record of this species from Stewart Island? (I can't find any mention of it being there. Certainly, took me by suprise!). Drawn to light at Rakeahua Hut on the southern circuit, Stewart Island.

First of spring. [Great night of spring mothing on the Maniototo. About 45-50 species seen in total. A lot of species that I had not seen since last spring turned up e.g. Meterana exquisita (7!), Orophora unicolor, and Ichneutica paracausta. First Physeticas and porinas for this spring. Also another location recorded for Theoxena scissaria]

[Great night of spring mothing on the Maniototo. About 45-50 species seen in total. A lot of species that I had not seen since last spring turned up e.g. Meterana exquisita (7!), Orophora unicolor, and Ichneutica paracausta. First Physeticas and porinas for this spring. Also another location recorded for Theoxena scissaria]

The highlight from a night at the West Eweburn Dam. I've now recorded them in two locations from the foot of the Hawkdun Range to this site 13 km away. Drawn to light. I see there is an old report from the lower slopes of Mt Ida which is located between these two sites: Lewis, J. H. (1900). "Lepidoptera of Mount Ida". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 33: 186–187.

Large caterpillar (~50mm) causing distinctive notched feeding damage on Cordyline 'purpurea' foliage. Note that purple anthocyanin pigments are visible in the caterpillar's gut through the cuticle when viewed from below.

Collected and fed on Cordyline leaves until pupation on 15 June 2022; adult emerged 17 July 2022. Warm temperatures inside house likely accelerated development during pupation.

Drawn to light. Tussock, mixed scrub and rocks, above the treeline at about 1000m asl. This was the dominant moth coming to light in large numbers. Some very dark like this specimen others verging towards I. ceraunias with distinct stripes.

With @carey_knox_southern_scales - who may also post observations of the same moth. Our different cameras, perspectives and photographic styles should enhance potential for correct identification.