During the City Nature Challenge 2022 I ran the UV light and moth sheet over 3 full nights taking a total of 208 observations covering 71 species.
Light: 50W UV CFL 71460
Direction: Sheet facing South-East
Runtime: 3 full nights (29th/30th April & 1st May).
Observations: 208
Species: 71
Many observations are yet to receive IDs as identifiers are busy during and after the City Nature Challenge. A few interesting records so far:
A reasonably clear shot of a Gall/Forest Midge (Family Cecidomyiidae). Most records of these on iNaturalist are records of their effect on Plants, rather than the adults themselves. In part because they are easier to ID, but also the adults are only a couple of millimetres long. I’ve not found any evidence of galls on the property. This is my 2nd record of this Family.
Stenophyella macreta, a Seed Bug in the Family Pachygronthidae. My first record from this Family. Nymphs and adults of the Subfamily Pachygronthinae typically resemble the the shape and colour of the seeds they feed on.(1) This may be true of the Subfamily Teracriinae, which includes Stenophyella macreta. These feed on the seeds of a range of Grasses (Poaceae).(2) The property currently has Themeda triandra, Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides & Poa labillardieri. It could do with a few more patches of local Grass species.
A Typical Longhorn Beetle (Subfamily Cerambycinae) whose elytra pattern doesn’t match any I’ve seen on the property before. Closest match from the Australian Cerambycidae website is perhaps Atesta dorsalis. This would be the 3rd Atesta sp. on the property. I currently have 12 Cerambycinae species recorded on the property. This is yet another species that’s not currently counting toward the total for the property, at least until it receives a refined ID.
The first record of a Palpita Moth (Genus Palpita) on the property.
My first record of a Padded Diving Beetle (Eretes australis), and only my second from the Predaceous Diving Beetles Family (Dytiscidae). These are strong fliers and attracted to lights. I should have collected it and dropped it in the pond.
A well fed Striped Mosquito (Aedes notoscriptus). Given it was on the sheet I’d been standing at for 30min, odds are the blood was mine.
The first iNat record in SA of the Genus Hyperxena.
A Macadamia Flower Caterpillar (Homoeosoma vagella), the larva of which feed specifically on the flowers of Macadamia ternifolia, a tree native to Queensland. I couldn’t find any info to indicate the larva feed on any other species, so it suggests someone in the local area has planted a Macadamia ternifolia.
The 2nd record on iNaturalist in SA of a Redlegged Ham Beetle (Necrobia rufipes). Given this species is a well known pest of meat products, it’s not surprising there is ample information about this species online.
A Plant Bug (Family Miridae), potentially Coridromius chenopoderis. This is a good example the effect of planting particular species on the property. The host Plants of this species are Chenopods (Family Chenopodiaceae). There happens to be a well established Seaberry Saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana) less than 10 metres from where the UV light is set up. Coridromius chenopoderis have been collected from this Plant several times. I’ve no doubt this species wouldn’t have a home on the property if this cultivated Plant wasn’t present.
Potentially the first record on iNaturalist of the Ground Beetle Sarothrocrepis nitens. This is definitely one I’ll be looking to collect for closer inspection if I spot it again. The Subfamily Lebiinae has some species with quite interesting patterns. I’ve recorded at least 4 of these on the property.
(1) SCHUH, R. T., & SLATER, J. A. (1995). True bugs of the world (Hemiptera: Heteroptera): classification and natural history. Ithaca, Comstock Pub. Associates.
(2) MALIPATIL, M. B., GAO, C. Q., & EOW, L. X. (2020). Australian Lygaeoidea (Heteroptera) of Economic Importance: Identification of Families, Tribes and Representative Genera. The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, The State of Victoria.
Epistemic Curiosity 