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Handmaiden moth Commonly known as wasp moths or handmaidens, there are 53 recognised and named Australian members of this subfamily Ctenuchinae. Many species have these abdominal bands alternating in orange and black appearing to mimic stinging wasp species, hence the common name of wasp moth. Or the colours may denote a hazard as the moths are poisonous if eaten. Whichever, the colours and markings may give protection from predators such as birds.<br /> <br /> Wingspan 25 mm<br /> <br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/112330/handmaiden_moth_lateral.html" title="Handmaiden moth lateral"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3314/112330_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=J20DD5u074bHsee4AIIcX4tsKP8%3D" width="200" height="194" alt="Handmaiden moth lateral Commonly known as wasp moths or handmaidens, there are 53 recognised and named Australian members of this subfamily Ctenuchinae. Many species have these abdominal bands alternating in orange and black appearing to mimic stinging wasp species, hence the common name of wasp moth. Or the colours may denote a hazard as the moths are poisonous if eaten. Whichever, the colours and markings may give protection from predators such as birds.<br /> <br /> Wingspan 25 mm<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/111732/handmaiden_moth.html Amata,Arctiinae,Australia,Fall,Geotagged,Handmaiden moth,arthropod,autumn,ctenuchinae,erebidae,fauna,insect,invertebrate,macro,moth,new south wales" /></a></figure> Amata,Arctiinae,Australia,Ctenuchinae,Erebidae,Fall,Geotagged,Handmaiden moth,arthropod,autumn,fauna,insect,invertebrate,macro,new south wales,wasp moth Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Handmaiden moth

Commonly known as wasp moths or handmaidens, there are 53 recognised and named Australian members of this subfamily Ctenuchinae. Many species have these abdominal bands alternating in orange and black appearing to mimic stinging wasp species, hence the common name of wasp moth. Or the colours may denote a hazard as the moths are poisonous if eaten. Whichever, the colours and markings may give protection from predators such as birds.

Wingspan 25 mm

Handmaiden moth lateral Commonly known as wasp moths or handmaidens, there are 53 recognised and named Australian members of this subfamily Ctenuchinae. Many species have these abdominal bands alternating in orange and black appearing to mimic stinging wasp species, hence the common name of wasp moth. Or the colours may denote a hazard as the moths are poisonous if eaten. Whichever, the colours and markings may give protection from predators such as birds.<br /> <br /> Wingspan 25 mm<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/111732/handmaiden_moth.html Amata,Arctiinae,Australia,Fall,Geotagged,Handmaiden moth,arthropod,autumn,ctenuchinae,erebidae,fauna,insect,invertebrate,macro,moth,new south wales

    comments (4)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Although I'm not very sure it's conclusive, I'd like to bring forward candidate Asura cervicalis. Seems to match visually and often reported around the location you took the photo. Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Ruth Spigelman's profile
      Ruth Spigelman
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Hi Ferdy, I am in the hands of one Victor Fazio here in Australia, Professor of Entomology, currently researching moth diversity and seasonality within New South Wales who helped me with this ID. The A. cervicalis you mention, although superficially they do look similar, when the abdomen is exposed for example, one can see they are very different (A. cervicalis having a long, vertical orange line against the black as opposed to the horizontal banding seen here). Here's an A. cervicalis I've spotted previously.

      Asura cervicalis Larvae have been found on Acacia (family Mimosaceae), Ficus (family Moraceae) and Eucalyptus (family Myrtaceae), but is suspected of feeding only on lichen (family Mycophyta).<br /> <br /> A tiny moth with wing span 15 mm. Asura cervicalis,Australia,Erebidae,Geotagged,Lepidoptera,Lichen moth,Macro,Moth,Spring,insect,invertebrate
       Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
      1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
        Ferdy Christant
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Thanks, Ruth. Was worthy a try, but not that simple after all. Posted 4 years ago
  3. View NattyOne's profile
    NattyOne
    Lion
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    That's a beaut!!
     Posted 4 years ago

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View Ruth Spigelman's profile

By Ruth Spigelman

Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives
Uploaded Apr 1, 2021. Captured Mar 1, 2021 14:38 in 59 Merewether St, Merewether NSW 2291, Australia.
country flag of Australia Explore Australia 13,072 4,173 3
  • NIKON D850
  • f/16.0
  • 10/2000s
  • ISO250
  • 105mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.

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