Melanodes anthracitaria
What a striking native moth this is. Monotypic, the only species within genus Melanodes, family Geometridae.
The binomial of Melanodes anthracitaria is perfectly descriptive.
This image taken with flash presents dark, but to the naked eye, almost fully black and so dynamic.
Also an interesting species because the caterpillars and the moths both have two forms. The caterpillars can be either green or brown and the adult moths either fully dark as here or the other having pale yellow banding on the wings.
Larvae have been observed feasting on Eucalyptus gum tree leaves, family Myrtaceae.
I believe this is a female going on the wingspan which was 55 mm.
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Melanodes anthracitaria
What a striking native moth this is. Monotypic, the only species within genus Melanodes, family Geometridae.
The binomial of Melanodes anthracitaria is perfectly descriptive.
This image taken with flash presents dark, but to the naked eye, almost fully black and so dynamic.
Also an interesting species because the caterpillars and the moths both have two forms. The caterpillars can be either green or brown and the adult moths either fully dark as here or the other having pale yellow banding on the wings.
Larvae have been observed feasting on Eucalyptus gum tree leaves, family Myrtaceae.
I believe this is a female going on the wingspan which was 55 mm.
© All rights reserved.