Guardian Nature School Team Contact Blog Project Noah Facebook Project Noah Twitter

A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife

Join Project Noah!
nature school apple icon

Project Noah Nature School visit nature school

Granny's Cloak Moth

Speiredonia spectans

Description:

Granny's Cloak Moth is a species of moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in the north-east quarter of Australia and Tasmania, but strays have also been recorded on Norfolk Island and in New Zealand. It's a large moth, brownish grey with purplish reflections, eye spots on the forewings and scalloped patterns. From a distance it looks like a normal dark brown moth, but up close it has a delicate pattern and is very translucent. These are large fluttering moths and are often seen in dark places around the house. The wingspan is about 70 mm. Larvae feed on Acacia species of plants, usually wattle. PS: I've yet to establish if this moth is male or female.

Habitat:

In the bush, adults roost in hollow trees and caves during daylight. In houses they favour darkened rooms, cupboards, under floorboards, in sheds and garages, etc., and also in stormwater drains.

Notes:

This moth had found its way into my kitchen one evening and was roosting on the fly screen of the kitchen window. A flash was used so picture quality is mediocre, but still, the beauty of the moth's stunning colours is evident.

Species ID Suggestions



Sign in to suggest organism ID

No Comments

Neil Ross
Spotted by
Neil Ross

Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Spotted on Aug 23, 2012
Submitted on May 5, 2013

Related Spottings

Granny's Cloak Moth Moth Erebus moth Moth

Nearby Spottings

Cleora Looper Moth Common Ringtail Possum Lilli Pilli Red House Spider (with prey)
Noah Guardians
Noah Sponsors
join Project Noah Team

Join the Project Noah Team