Monday 10 May 2010

Shiny!

The beauty of this fruit-piercing noctuid moth (Othreis iridescens) did not become wholly apparent until I saw it in full light. This is a Far North Queensland endemic, which, although it feeds on fruit, is not considered to be a pest. (And even if it were, you'd cut it some slack, wouldn't you?)

The vines Pycnarrhena novoguineensis and Hypserpa laurina (both Menispermaceae) are known as host plants.

(This is a live individual, but it was having an off day, by the look of things.)