Insects
Moths (Lepidoptera)
Swift and Ghost moths (Hepialidae)

Swift and Ghost moths (Hepialidae)

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Swift and Ghost moths (Hepialidae)

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Discussion

SenexRugosus wrote:
7 hrs ago
Thanks for the detailed comments, ibaird. I was basing my id on the similarity to Oxycanus lyelli . The patterning is very similar as is the antennae colour, but perhaps it's possible that one was misidentified?
Oxycanus dirempta
donhe wrote:
17 hrs ago
@FF : Oops no photo ?
Unverified Swift and Ghost moth (Hepialidae)
ibaird wrote:
Yesterday
Female.
Oxycanus dirempta
ibaird wrote:
23 May 2025
Yes, and they can be challenging to identify. Given the forewing patterns vary significantly within and between species, the usual approach is to rely on using antennae structure and colour, using the Moths of Victoria (Part 6) visual key to the Oxycanus (genus). Unfortunatlely Moths of Victoria say the status of O. lyelli is uncertain and needs more work. Using their key the male of Oxycanus dirempta and O. lyelli have a very similar antennae structure, but they differ only in colour: those of O. lyella are a dark brown, whereas O. dirempta are red-brown. I'm not 100% which species we have here, but I think the anetannae are as likely red-brown in colour rather than dark brown. If there is another way to distinguish O. dirempta and O. lyelli on visual grounds in the field, I'm open to suggestions.
Oxycanus dirempta
ibaird wrote:
23 May 2025
Pale ,strawed coloured antannae in this the male. rami short one side long on the other,
Oxycanus silvanus

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