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Idaea philocosma
A geometrid with a wingspan of about 23mm. Wings were a pale cream with definite waves of dark brown.
Spotted near eucalyptus trees
Subfamily: Sterrhinae
Spotted on Feb 20, 2013
Submitted on Feb 25, 2013
3 Comments
do you have this reference link? Nothing to do with this moth http://www.tortricidae.com/catalogueSear...
Martin, I was not very happy with the ID. I initially thought that this moth looked more like Idaea crinipes
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au...
although the specimen looks a little battered. Even the dark dotted pattern along the margins of both wings looked similar. The problem is this species is found (only) in tropical Queensland and I can't see it coming down this far.
I then referred to
http://lifeunseen.com/index2_item_6593.p... and was happier with this specimen but did not put it up as a link because it had no information.
Davesgardens pic of I.philocosma looks more like my specimen but it is not very clear.
I am very happy to have your confirmation and put in the common name. Thanks so much.
You've done well to ID this based on Don Herbison-Evans photo. Peter Marriot has an excellent photo and indistinguishable from your female. The male is smaller and paler. He calls it the "Flecked wave".