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Geometrid Moth

Microdes sp

Photo by Leuba Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

This attractive moth was small with a wingspan of about 12 mm. Wings had dark shades of brown in the costal and submarginal areas and a wide band of peach colour between wavy white bands. The white comma- shaped patches near the apex in each fore wing was prominent. Antennae held back under wings.
Could detect prominent eyes and labial palps. Banding seen on legs.

Habitat:

This was spotted on a wall near a reserve.

Notes:

looking for an ID. A Geometrid moth- Subfamily:Larentiinae

My thanks to Peter Marriott for the ID. He writes " There are a couple of possibilities including M. diplodonta and M. oriochares" .The Genus is Microdes.
No more information to provide at this stage.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (14)
Leuba Ridgway
Thanks Noel - it's striking little moth. So happy to have spotted this.
Leuba Ridgway
Thanks Martin & Sergio. I need to find some literature on Dysstroma ceprona ab rufescens, described as a parallel species to D.truncata ab rufescens. I found this mentioned in a document " New species of Geometridae in Indo-Australain region" . "Dysstroma ceprona (Swinhoe) ab. rufescens Prout A form parallel to Dysstroma truncata (Hufnagel) ab. rufescens Strom ; the fore wing is suffused with ochraceous tawny between the antemedial and the subterminal fasciae, anterior of vein SM. W. SUMATRA : Korinchi, 7,300 f t , v.1914 (Robinson & Kloss), holotype (female)."
MartinL
Sergio, you will have to credit Leuba with finding this beautiful moth.
MartinL
Chrysolarentia interruptata is also twice as large as this. I spent more time than I will admit searching for this one but I have no suggestion except 'carpet moth'.
Mark Ridgway
I presume Donald Hobern has put his Chloroclysta truncata against a millimetre scale which makes his about twice the size of this one. :-(
MartinL
This certainly looks like Dysstroma truncata. DHobern from ACT had spotted this..... in Denmark http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhobern/7173052465/in/photostream/ http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/pinned.php?plate=17.7&size=s&sort=h I cannot find any mention of the genus Dysstroma in my literature.
Leuba Ridgway
Looks like Dysstroma truncata http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysstroma_truncata ( Common Marbled Carpet). Need to check if it occurs in Australia.
Leuba Ridgway
It was a beautiful moth Martin. I could see the pattern and peachy colour straightaway despite its size. I agree, Chrysolarentia sp came the closest pattern-wise but none in butterflyhouse website had the colours. I hope I find a match - will keep looking. Thanks Martin.
MartinL
That is a stunning moth Leuba. The closest I can find is Chrysolarentia interruptata. I have a couple of reservations since yours is more colorful and the pattern has some variations. http://www1.ala.org.au/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=slideshow.Slideshow&g2_itemId=16501

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PublishedMay 28, 2013

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