Pterolocera at Strath Creek

This handsome moth landed on our window sill the other day. We were readily able to identify it as an Anthelid moth, Pterolocera sp. Lined Group, from Peter Marriots’s Moths of Victoria – Part 1 . (Surely someone will let us know if we are wrong ?) Peter gave a very informative Focus on Fauna talk at Flowerdale in May last year – click HERE to see previous post.

The genus Pterolocera comprises somewhere between 6 and 30 species, those in Victoria apparently all yet to be named. It is divided into 3 groups based on appearance – the Lined Group, Reddish Group and Plain Group.

Pterolocera can be found in most habitats. The species shown here likes open grasslands, where its larvae (hairy caterpillars) find plenty to feed on. The photos show a male moth with a wingspan of about 30-35mm. The female is flightless.