Aproaerema simplexella
Aproaerema simplexella ANACAMPSINAE GELECHIIDAE
In Moths of Australia (Common 1990), the moth is called Stomopteryx simplexella. The preferred name now appears to be Aproaerema simplexella.
The larval food plants include Cullen patens and Cullen tenax (FAMILY: FABACEAE), previously named Psoralea tenax and P. patens. They will also eat Clover and Soybean and other legumes.
Cullen patens and Cullen tenax are not uncommon roadside plants in this area as is Clover.
Cullen patens, Cullen tenax are both perennial plants, with flowers in two shades of pink.
They are good for native pastures because of their palatability to stock and they are hosts for several butterfly species as well. This includes several kinds of small blue butterflies, and the large and showy Chequered Swallowtails.
Wing span is about 10mm.
Family:- GELECHIIDAE
Sub Family:- ANACAMPSINAE
Genus:- Aproaerema
Species:- simplexella
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Like your blog Don. Cullen tenax I have found have blue flowers. It is on my block at Moffatdale, but not flowered yet. I am planting more host species.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment imago, in a way you are correct, the colour in this area is often more like purple with some people calling it blue and others pinkish. Perhaps lavender would have been better.
DeleteIf you go to the site Toowoomba plants link in the right margin you will see what I mean.
It is possible your plants may be even more blue, soil type can make a difference in some plants.
Don.