Some day flying moths

Family:- ARCTIIDAE
Sub Family:- ARCTIINAE
Genus:- Nyctemera
Species:- amicus
Nyctemera amicus is often seen flying and feeding during the day but will also come to light at night.
The larval food plant is Senecio a native daisy, and article on this plant is at :-

http://toowoombaplants2008.blogspot.com.au/search?q=Senecio









          Left, showing the smaller  white spots on the rear wings.








                                                                                

Family:- ARCTIIDAE
Sub Family:- ARCTIINAE
Genus:- Nyctemera
Species:- secundiana
Nyctemera secundiana is similar to Nyctemera amicus but has different wing markings, particularly the white dot on the rear wing is larger and it also has some different markings on the forewings. Although quite common around here it is not as common as N. amicus.   

Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- AGARISTINAE
Genus:- Cruria
Species:- synopla
Cruria synopla AGARISTINAE NOCTUIDAE
Another day flying moth, fairly common at our place, is Cruria synopla. A moderately large moth that breeds on Cissus spp. (Native Grape or Watervine). In our case the Watervine is probably what they breed on.
Once again the  "toowoombaplants" blog site mentioned above has an article of a couple of local species.

Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- AGARISTINAE
Genus:- Agarista
Species:- agricola

Another day flying moth in this area, Agarista agricola is commonly called Joseph's Coat Moth or Harlequin Moth. The Agarista agricola are known to breed on Cissus spp.
At least six species of Hawk Moths are also known to breed on the same plant species.

Changing colours

Family:- Noctuidae, Genus:- Speiredonia

    Moth scales can be hair-like (piliform), or flat (lamellar) which are layered.
    In some moths, the pigment which gives the colouring is secreted between the layers. In other moths the scales are reflective and produce the colours by diffraction of light.
    The examples below of Speiredonia spectans (common name "Granny's Cloak Moth"), and Speiredonia mutabilis, show a variation of colour depending on the angle of the camera to the  light source. In general, when you see the moths in daylight they are tucked into a corner around the house or a shed and look dark brown.
    In the third photo some variation can be seen between the left and right wings.














Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- CATOCALINAE
Genus:- Speiredonia
Species:- spectans



Below is the photo of Speiredonia mutabilis showing a more pronounced colouring

Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- CATOCALINAE
Genus:- Speiredonia
Species:- mutabilis

Family Noctuidae, Genus Grammodes

Here are three moths that look similar. They are from the same genus and are all fairly common here. They come readily to UV light.
There are 10 Australian species of Grammodes (I.F.B. Common, Moths of Australia, 1990).

  Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- CATOCALINAE
Genus:- Grammodes
Species:- justa













Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- CATOCALINAE
Genus:- Grammodes
Species:- ocellata













Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- CATOCALINAE
Genus:- Grammodes
Species:- pulcherrima

Trigonodes hyppasia

Another common moth here, Trigonodes hyppasia is often seen during the day hiding in long grass.
There are 2 Australian species that look very similar.
I have only seen the one below, Trigonodes hyppasia here.

Family:- NOCTUIDAE
Sub Family:- CATOCALINAE
Genus:- Trigonodes
Species:- hyppasia