Favoritos de carey-knox-southern-scales

A number of these vegetable caterpillars have been found by Alf Webb in Broad Bay - see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/97616596
This observation is concerned with which moth is involved. I have previously observed Aoraia rufivena in the neighbourhood - see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/73785349 and wonder if this might be the moth. These vegetable caterpillars are being found in regenerating forest around 100 years old. Canopy comprises of Putaputaweta, Red Mapou, Narrow Leaved Lacebark, Mahoe and Tarata. Sparse understory of assorted ferns and coprosma.

At approx 1500m asl, with
@carey-knox-southern-scales. Drawn to light. This looks like Hydriomena hemizona but I notice that it has antenna pectinations, unlike any of the other records of H. hemizona. 3 or 4 of these came to light.

I finally got around to checking out the sole patch of Helichrysum lanceolatum at Possums' End. About 6 bushes perched precariously on the edge of a rock face, very exposed to the Northerly wind, about 12m long by 1m wide. I was very pleasantly surprised when several moths took to the air when I gave the shrubs a good rattle. 2 were photographed and uploaded as individual observations, before returning them to their homes. A nice start to 2023.

I finally got around to checking out the sole patch of Helichrysum lanceolatum at Possums' End. About 6 bushes perched precariously on the edge of a rock face, very exposed to the Northerly wind, about 12m long by 1m wide. I was very pleasantly surprised when several moths took to the air when I gave the shrubs a good rattle. 2 were photographed and uploaded as individual observations, before returning them to their homes. A nice start to 2023.

Loads of these at the summit but a an effort to get close enough to them since they're very reactive to movement.

Additionally, some sort of fly was trying to snatch them when they landed. The fly was smaller than these, but I did get a shot of one grabbing and pinning down a Sod Webworm.

Some observations straight from camera via phone

Some festive mothing with @carey-knox-southern-scales. 14 degrees, very still and humid. From the top of Dicksons Hill. Drawn to light. Not 100% sure on ID, but probably another new moth for this locale.

This is a moth caught by @carey-knox-southern-scales at a UV light trap. He has recorded it here https://inaturalist.nz/observations/140856391. These photographs of the moth are added here in case they may provide additional useful information.

[Great night of spring mothing on the Maniototo. About 45-50 species seen in total. A lot of species that I had not seen since last spring turned up e.g. Meterana exquisita (7!), Orophora unicolor, and Ichneutica paracausta. First Physeticas and porinas for this spring. Also another location recorded for Theoxena scissaria]

With fresh snow on ground Wintwr copper sunbathing on larval host pohuehue on Port Hills Summit Road on sunny but cold ten degree day! Great sight with Red Admiral flying nearby too; butterflies are tough in South Island

Drawn to light. 10 degrees. Not in best condition but if ID correct it's the earliest obs of this species here by about 2 weeks. (Previous comment refers to my initial thought that it was a Southern Armyworm - now withdrawn).

Following the unexpected discovery, recorded in https://inaturalist.nz/observations/106485999 I discussed local occurrences of the host plant Streblus, with @moira_parker. She informed me of a small group of small-leaved milk trees about 1.5km away from the initial intercept. With landowner permission I set up a Heath Moth Trap at the location (6W Actinic bulb). A single female moth was caught and is shown in this observation. @nhudson @butterfly4

With @carey_knox_southern_scales. Drawn to light at about 1000m asl in a boulder field. Tree line visible and alpine shrubs present. Possibly I. lissoxyla. Several came to light very early in the evening, the first arrivals. Quite small, all plain.

Drawn to 10W UV LED light at Moturau Hut on the Kepler Track. Beautiful large moth - several bombed me, this was the only one of them captured. Blue tinge and distinctive hindwings. Not alpine and not particularly bouldery.