Moths of Toowoomba

Some day flying moths

Family:- ARCTIIDAE
Sub Family:- ARCTIINAE
Genus:- Nyctemera
Species:- amicus
Nyctemera amicus is often seen flying and feeding during the day but will also come to light at night.
The larval food plant is Senecio a native daisy, and article on this plant is at :-

http://toowoombaplants2008.blogspot.com.au/search?q=Senecio









          Left, showing the smaller  white spots on the rear wings.








                                                                                

Family:- ARCTIIDAE
Sub Family:- ARCTIINAE
Genus:- Nyctemera
Species:- secundiana
Nyctemera secundiana is similar to Nyctemera amicus but has different wing markings, particularly the white dot on the rear wing is larger and it also has some different markings on the forewings. Although quite common around here it is not as common as N. amicus.   

Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- AGARISTINAE
Genus:- Cruria
Species:- synopla
Cruria synopla AGARISTINAE NOCTUIDAE
Another day flying moth, fairly common at our place, is Cruria synopla. A moderately large moth that breeds on Cissus spp. (Native Grape or Watervine). In our case the Watervine is probably what they breed on.
Once again the  "toowoombaplants" blog site mentioned above has an article of a couple of local species.

Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- AGARISTINAE
Genus:- Agarista
Species:- agricola

Another day flying moth in this area, Agarista agricola is commonly called Joseph's Coat Moth or Harlequin Moth. The Agarista agricola are known to breed on Cissus spp.
At least six species of Hawk Moths are also known to breed on the same plant species.