Fine-veined Geometrid
S24,Female,profile
Fine-veined Geometrid
S7,Female,Hindwing
| Fine-veined Geometrid S24,Female,profile | | Fine-veined Geometrid S7,Female,Hindwing | | ||
 | Class: | Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) | |||
| Order: | Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera) | ||||
| Family: | Geometer (:Geometridae Ennominae Nacophorini) | ||||
| Species: | Fine-veined Geometrid (Amphicrossa hemadelpha) | ||||
| This Photo: | S24,Female,Antennae | ||||
General Species Information: Found on Ellura (in the Murray Mallee, SA) and elsewhere Males & females have bipectinate (2 rowed) antennae; however the female antennae pectinations are so short they look filiform. Above their shoulders are 2 rows of scales that form a crest. Behind there neck is a tuft of scales forming another crest. They seem to wear easily so these crests & tufts are often not easy to distinguish. The patterns also wear adding to our confusion. Generally their forwings have a wing pattern that reminds us of an elongated/stylised map of Australia. They have varying amounts of white highlights outlining the black lines & streaks. The black lines also vary in intensity, and quantity; with usually 2 main ones forming the "map" and at times a 3rd in-between, with less occationally only one. They often have 2 brown patches, and other brown streaks and flecks confusing the patterns. Their hindwings always have 2 dark discal spots underneath (which isn't visible above), but can have more forming a jagged line towards the outer margin (which is visible above and below). Their hindwing outer margins are also mildly scalloped, with the forewings less so. With this amount of variation it always concerns us we have different species. Without disecion we can't be certain, but on balance and a lot of consideration we think these are all one and the same. These are also a surprise for us, as they're very common in Autumn here, but rare on-line. Similar Species: Tufted Double-spot Moth (Epicyrtica cf MoV3) | |||||
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