Small-eyed Box-owlet

Description:

Grammodes oculicola, commonly known as "small-eyed box-owlet", is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is an Australian native and endemic to this region. The adult moths of this species are brown (mine was more greyish-brown) with two white lines across each forewing, and a diagonal white line across each hindwing. This species also has a submarginal band* across the lower part of each forewing (see notes), and an elliptical white line around the eyespots situated at each forewing tornus. The wingspan is about 30 mm.

Habitat:

Spotted at ground level amongst the grasses and leaf littler, near the Mt. Norman day use area in Girraween National Park. Dry sclerophyll forest with sandy granite soils, substantial undergrowth and accumulated leaf litter, and foliage much greener and lush since the drought has broken. Here's some park info - http://www.rymich.com/girraween/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girraween_...

Notes:

*I have two very reputable local websites contradicting each other. Brisbane Insects says this moth is a "narrow-eyed striped noctuid" (Grammodes oculata).... http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_... whereas Butterfly House say this is a "small-eyed box-owlet" (Grammodes oculicola).... http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au... I have chosen the later for the simple reason that it makes mention of a small but easily-overlooked characteristic of the forewing patterns. "The forewings also each have a pale tapering submarginal band, which is absent in the similar Grammodes oculata." The link they've provided shows this quite clearly.... http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au... All in the name of accuracy when trying to establish the correct ID, some spottings require a bit more effort!