Insects
Moths (Lepidoptera)
Swift and Ghost moths (Hepialidae)
Sighting 4498491

Oxycanus (genus)

Unidentified Oxycanus moths at Broulee Moruya Nature Observation Area

Oxycanus (genus) at Broulee Moruya Nature Observation Area - suppressed
Oxycanus (genus) at Broulee Moruya Nature Observation Area - suppressed
Oxycanus (genus) at Broulee Moruya Nature Observation Area - suppressed
Oxycanus (genus) at Broulee Moruya Nature Observation Area - suppressed
Oxycanus (genus) at Broulee Moruya Nature Observation Area - suppressed
Oxycanus (genus) at Broulee Moruya Nature Observation Area - suppressed
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Identification history

Oxycanus (genus) 11 May 2024 donhe
Oxycanus (genus) 23 Jun 2023 ibaird
Unverified 23 Jun 2023 LisaH

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User's notes

At least three around the place. I was surprised to see them in such cold weather? Mind you, I saw them here last year around this time, but about a month earlier.

7 comments

ibaird wrote:
   23 Jun 2023
Referrng to Moths of Victoria's visual key of antennae (Part 6), the colour (yellow) and shape of the antennae in the third photograph suggests Oxycanus subvaria (male) If so, the second photo is not inconsistent with the O. subvaria female.
LisaH wrote:
   23 Jun 2023
Thank you. These were all photos of the same moth. I was intrigued by the change in antennae - I wondered if it was simply the angle of the photos? Sorry I don’t get the hind wing. What aspects of moths do I need to photograph to be useful for ID, please?
ibaird wrote:
   24 Jun 2023
For Oxycanus (genus) sharp antennae photos, However, we do not have a visual key for all the species we may see in NSW, because the Moths of Victoria key is only for Victorian species. Several features require a hand lens in that key, but they are usually no use givem our photos are usually from life. The forewing markings are often quite variable so, depending on the species, may not be reliable for identification.
LisaH wrote:
   24 Jun 2023
Thank you - looks like there's not much more I can do, so I'll just do what I'm doing and hope it's enough for IDing in the future.
ibaird wrote:
   25 Jun 2023
My tentaitve ID (O. subvaria) is based mainly on the make antenna colour and shape (third photo) loking at the Moths of Victoria key. But also MoV say this species is the smallest of the Oxycanus (genus), so that would seem to fit? If the first photo a male the forewing markings would also seem to fit based on the MoV supporting disc photos to Part 6.
ibaird wrote:
   11 May 2024
Also similarlO. sirpus based on the antennae (MoV)
ibaird wrote:
   11 May 2024
Also similarlO. sirpus based on the antennae (MoV)

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Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • 25mm to 50mm Animal size

Species information

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  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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