Australian Bagmoth (Female)

Description:

The adult female moth has black wings with yellow wingtips and patches. The black parts of the wings and the body have a metallic blue sheen. She has long legs which make up for the fact that her wings do not expand properly, so she has to walk everywhere. She also has a long ovipositor sticking out of her last abdominal segment.

Habitat:

It is found in New Zealand and the southern half of Australia (Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia).

Notes:

The male has a similar pattern and colouring to the female, but has no iridescence. Also, he has fully developed wings, and can fly quite normally.