Proteuxoa restituta (Black-bodied Noctuid)

Proteuxoa cineriecollis, testaceicollis, atra and bistrigula are similar species that are difficult to separate, especially if the only information available is an upperside photo of a settled closed-winged moth.  Proteuxoa restituta also has a similar forewing pattern but can be relatively easily distinguished by its shiny grey base colour with wavy transverse lines showing clearly.  All these species have a prominent lighter reniform mark mark. It narrows down to a "tail" pointing in the direction of the tip of the abdomen in some but far from all specimens. They all have underlying networks of wavy transverse lines which show more clearly in the males than in the generally darker females. The males also more readily show a broad lighter band along the termen.  Proteuxoa testaceicollis, atra and bistrigula all have dark hindwings (P. atra darkest).  P. cineriecollis hindwings are mostly white but this is usually not shown in photos.

More detailed information on the appearances of all these species is contained in Moths of Victoria vol9.  As they are difficult to distinguish in live photos, the identifications of them here on CNM are provisional.