Mothvadar

[missgecko]

Despite the title, the first two photos are of a rather sweet little moth. At first glance it looked like a dried leaf sitting on top of a dead geranium flower. I added the third photo for fun because to me it looks rather sinister





Cheers
_________________
Sam

'To see a world in a grain of sand And heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.' William Blake

[rjlittlefield]

An interesting and beautiful moth...

Here in the U.S., a moth with that shape and coloration might be one of the large family Noctuidae, perhaps in genus Autographa as for example HERE.

In your area, I have no idea!

--Rik

[Charles Krebs]

That is a great looking moth!

The last one reminds of those "news" interviews where the person does not want to be identified so they keep their face in the shadows
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http://www.krebsmicro.com

[rovebeetle]

[rjlittlefield]

I wondered about Notodontidae, but in the keys that I have, the distinguishing characters involve hind wing venation, not visible here. Similar tufts of scales behind the head are widespread and do not seem diagnostic.

Is there some specific anatomy that you're looking at, or is it a matter of general appearance?

--Rik

[rovebeetle]

Thanks Rik, for reminding me that one shouldn't provide identifications out of the sleeve. I had a somewhat twisted memory of those critters.

In fact, it is a noctuid, subfamily Plusiinae - but that's all I dare to say.

From time to time I definitely need such reminders, particularly when I'm stressed and tired. And tired I am, having just finished the last beetle image for a book. Altogether I had to remount, photograph, stack, extract and B/W-convert 150 species of Staphylinidae. All I have to do now is arranging them into plates (a piece of cake in comparison). I'll drain a bottle of good red wine tonight ).

Cheers
_________________
Harry

[missgecko]

Thanks everyone for your knowledge and comments. He/she/the moth blended in beautifully with the surrounding vegetation, so the camouflage was perfect. I actually never know whether I'm showing a male or a female or neither. To me, "it" always sounds so impersonal.
I've checked out this site http://www.ento.csiro.au/gallery/moths/Plusiinae and it does look similar but I'm unable to find a photo that shows the collar bit. Maybe if Len Willans spots this post, he may have some more info as well.
Cheers
Sam
_________________
Sam

'To see a world in a grain of sand And heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.' William Blake

[rjlittlefield]

[rjlittlefield]

[Len Willan]

You have illustrated delightful images of what a typical live Plusine Noctuid looks like in nature ,the whole group are world wide regarded as extremely serious pests in their caterpillar stages
Your moth, at a glance is propably CHRYSODEIXIS subsidens (Walker, 1858)(Plusia) Common Name. Australian cabbage looper.The larvae feed on various plants, including Cabbage, Brassica, Tomato, Solanaceae and Silver Beet. (also Geraniums and lots of other leafy garden plants) The Type specimen was collected in Sydney in 1858,it is in the British Museum.Australian Moths Online have an adult at
http://www.ento.csiro.au/gallery/moths/Chrysodeixissubsidens/chrysodeixis_subsidens_04?full=1 and you can clearly see the crest(ruff,collar) on its thorax.

Regards Len Willan

[missgecko]

Thanks for that Len. Once again I come away with a little bit more knowledge than when I started.
Cheers
Sam
_________________
Sam

'To see a world in a grain of sand And heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.' William Blake