Friday 27 October 2017

Flash colours

Last night a quite large moth (a little worse for wear) was attracted by the light to the kitchen window, which enabled a photo of the underside. Although not very good it was the only chance before it was disturbed by a smaller moth and flew off.



Outside I found it on the verandah ceiling and was able to get a quick photo with the light from my phone before it was on the move again.


The upper view seemed familiar not instantly recognised, but I was hopeful of getting a better photo to use for ID and as luck would have it the moth landed back on the window and I was able to get a flash photo.


The seemingly black wingspan of around 60mm was transformed into beautiful colours and patterns of a species that I recorded almost 2 yrs ago. It Is one of the Noctuidae family, subfamily Catocalinae, species Donuca lanipes common name Zigzag White Banded Noctuid. It ranges through tropical Northern Territory and Queensland south to central NSW with a few stragglers to southern NSW. It is not very common and little is know about the larvae food source or the biology of the species.
 

Sunday 1 October 2017

Eastern Water Dragon sunbaking.

Every now and then I catch a glimpse of a lizard that is in the garden near the pool and once when it was in the pool but until today I haven't been able to get a positive ID.
I heard a rustle in the vegetation and found that the lizard had moved into the centre of a Cycas and was happy the enjoy the sun. It stayed there whilst I got the camera and was able to get a couple of photos.


 I wrongly identified it as a fully grown adult Jacky Lizard  Amphibolurus Muricatus  but I have since been able to get another photo which contradicts my ID and shows the Lizard to be a youngish Eastern Water Dragon intellagama lesuerii lesuerii