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.

 

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

Azure hidden

Very strong and gusty wind today dislodged a butterfly from the treetops where it must have recently emerged from it pupae as the wings were not fully expanded. It was not able to fly but was happy to stay on a twig for photos as it waited.

The underside of the wings show beautiful earth colours that were almost iridescent in the sunlight. The upperwing colour is an iridescent deep purple, but I could not get a photo of the open wings.

There are quite a number of "Blues" and it was quite difficult to get the ID but I am fairly confident the it is a male Dark Purple Azure Ogyris abrata whose caterpillars feed on mistletoe species.

Flyscreen grid

A small moth was on the outside of the backdoor flyscreen in the middle of the day and stayed for a photo.

Finally tracked down the identification as Sandava xylistis of the Noctuidae family which has been found in the Eastern parts of Australia. Wingspan about 3mm. No information on the larvae food preferences.

Jezabels attracted to Fire Sprite

A warm spring day brought out many jezabel butterflies and our Grevillea Fire Sprite (cultivar) was providing a great source of nectar. Our most often sighted species is the Common Jezabel Delias nigrina but today we had quite a few Northern Jezabels getting into the action.

Female Northern Jezabel

 

Male Northern Jezabel

Male upper wings

The larvae of this Genus have mistletoe species as their main food source and we have many in the trees on the property to attract these butterflies.

The Northern Jezebel as their name suggests are more likely to be sighted in the north of Australia but they do range down as far as Sydney.

Common Jezebel female