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Old Southern Lady Moth

Dasypodia selenophora

Description:

A pale brown coloured moth with a wing span of about 90mm. Has velvety look with rippled patterns on the forewing which hug a beautiful purplish blue "owlet" . The patch has an upside down triangle of black ( Pic #5). The dorsal side of the thorax is furry as is the rest of the body and legs. The lower side of each wing has a single dark spot. The featured moth might be a female because of the plain pattern of the dark spots on the underside - this needs confirmation. The moth had moderately long antennae.

Habitat:

gardens or forests with wattle trees

Notes:

This beautiful moth had flown into the house, probably on its last legs. It is amazingly beautiful despite the limited variation in colour. The spots on the wings are truly eye-catching! These moths are found everywhere in southern Australia, Norfolk Islands, New Zealand and the Macquarie Islands.

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2 Comments

Leuba Ridgway
Leuba Ridgway 12 years ago

I could take numerous shots because the poor thing was dying - I could select the best shots from the ones I had. They must want to come into some sort of shelter to die, perhaps. I read that the northern ones are called "Old Northern Lady Moth" - I don't understand why it's called an old lady; these are so beautiful..

MartinL
MartinL 12 years ago

These are often seen trapped and dead inside sheds. I found one in Northern territory. Yours is a much better shot than mine http://www.flickr.com/photos/66925960@N0...

Leuba Ridgway
Spotted by
Leuba Ridgway

Victoria, Australia

Spotted on Feb 19, 2012
Submitted on Feb 19, 2012

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