What is this beautiful flying insect?!?

P_T · Post by **P_T** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 2:06 am

It's furry like a moth but I've never seen one like this. It's just so beautifully balanced and the wings are like airplane wings.

It laid a couple of eggs but I'm afraid a few hours later, the rain started falling heavily. I went back out to check but they're all gone.

I wished I had captured it but then I wouldn't know how to look after it.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:46 am

It is a moth of some kind, I have seen them before but cannot remember their name. Every so often I may find one of them around here too.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:52 am

"Googled" for "Australian Moths" and came up with this site:-

http://www.ozanimals.com/Insect/Plume-M ... mily/.html

You may also find these sites useful in future:-

http://www.ozanimals.com/wildlife/Insect/Moths.html

http://www.ento.csiro.au/anic/moths.html

DaveW

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:04 am

Nice finding.

I already pdotographed a few like this.
They usually keep their spiny rear legs around abdomen like some protective exoskeleton.

P_T · Post by **P_T** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:13 am

DaveW wrote:You may also find these sites useful in future:-

Sure will!! Sorry about that, I got too excited about this moth!!

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:03 am

Neat looks like a couple of eggs on the back ground.

rovebeetle · Post by **rovebeetle** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:52 am

P_T wrote:I got too excited about this moth!!

Yes, Pterophoridae can get you excited. They are phantastic creatures.
A friend of mine (Ernst Arenberger) is the leading authority on these "feathery" critters. Unfortunately, I don't see him that often these days. I am sure he could immediately tell the genus, but AFAIK you have to look at the genitals to find out the species.

BTW - very nice capture.

Cheers