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Thema macroscia

A concealer moth at Bungendore, NSW

Thema macroscia at Bungendore, NSW - 29 Sep 2024
Thema macroscia at Bungendore, NSW - 29 Sep 2024
Thema macroscia at Bungendore, NSW - 29 Sep 2024
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Identification history

Thema macroscia 29 Sep 2024 donhe
Thema macroscia 29 Sep 2024 ibaird
Geometridae (family) IMMATURE 29 Sep 2024 donhe
Unidentified 29 Sep 2024 clarehoneydove

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7 comments

donhe wrote:
   29 Sep 2024
The species of most caterpillars cannot be identified because noone has bothered to take them home and reared them too get the adult moth.
   29 Sep 2024
It's a moth though @donhe or am I misunderstanding you?
donhe wrote:
   29 Sep 2024
Yes. All caterpillars turn into moths or butterflies, but Australia has about 400 species of butterflies and 20,000 species of moths, so most caterpillars are moth species. The structure of the legs of this caterpillar however are special and indicate that it is from the moth family Geometridae which has only about 2,000 species.
Can you keep it in protective custody to stop birds and wasps etc eating it, rear it to get the adult moth?
   29 Sep 2024
Just checking that you are seeing this is a picture of a moth not a caterpillar that's all..
donhe wrote:
   29 Sep 2024
I thought I only could see a caterpillar. The picture on my phone was not clear enough to see a moth. I just expanded the picture and you are right, of course. It is a moth that looks like a caterpillar on a stick. The moth looks like is from the genus Thema, as in
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/chez/chez-moths.html
But I will have to reorient your photo to match that in that webpage to work out which one.
That have to wait till I can get back to my laptop.
   29 Sep 2024
That is a moth, it flew there and when it landed I took a photo. I know it can be hard with the diminished quality to see but if admin want a higher resolution image I am happy to provide.
donhe wrote:
   29 Sep 2024
No need, the photo is fine. I just need to reorient it so the head faces left and the legs are underneath.

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