Insects

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A guide to Australian insect families (from CSIRO) can be found at:
http://anic.ento.csiro.au/insectfamilies/

Daley, A. & Ellingsen, K., 2012. Insects of Tasmania: An online field guide

A useful introduction to Insects, visit:
http://australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/documents/9362/invertebrate_guide.pdf

A diagram of Insect morphology illustrating terminology with legend of body parts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_morphology#/media/File:Insect_anatomy_diagram.svg

A diagram of an insect illustrating terminology based on a worker ant, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaster_(insect_anatomy)#/media/File:Scheme_ant_worker_anatomy-en.svg

Photographing insects

There are two main ways to photograph insects with a camera: using a macro close-up lens or a zoom lens. If the insect tolerates your getting very close, then you can use the macro lens. For example, some moths will remain quite still when approached, believing they are camouflaged and invisible. However, many insects, especially those that can fly, will move away when you approach. This is especially true for insects like butterflies and dragonflies. So a good zoom lens is very useful for photographing many insects. If you are using a smartphone, then use a macro lens or a macro attachment. E.g. OlloClip for iPhone. If you want to have an insect identified to species then clear photographs are usually needed because minute parts of the anatomy may need to be checked. It is valuable to take several photos from various angles so that these anatomical details can be seen. Many insects are have particular plants that they feed on, and they can be identified more easily when the associated plant is known. So if the insect is resting or feeding on a plant, take note of what the plant is or ensure that a photo shows the plant clearly.

Insects

Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Bees (Hymenoptera, Apiformes)

Beetles (Coleoptera)

Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera)

Cicadas (Hemiptera, Cicadoidea)

Cockroaches (Blattodea, several families)

Dragonflies & Damselflies (Odonata)

Grasshoppers, Crickets & Katydids (Orthoptera)

Leafhoppers & planthoppers (Hemiptera, several families)

Moths (Lepidoptera)

Praying mantises (Mantodea)

Primitive insects

Psyllids, lerps, aphids & whiteflies (Hemiptera, several families)

Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

Scale insects & mealybugs (Hemiptera, Coccoidea)

Stick insects (Phasmatodea)

True bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera)

True flies (Diptera)

Wasps (Hymenoptera, Apocrita)

Other insects

Lacewings (Neuroptera)

Unidentified Insect Galls

Unidentified Insect Leaf Miners

Featured sightings

Hednota urithrepta (A Crambid moth (Crambinae) at Bimberi, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Comptosia apicalis (A bee fly) at Bonython, ACT - 26 Jan 2026 by SimoneS

Hylaeus (Gnathoprosopis) sp. at Port Augusta, SA - 8 Jan 2026 by chriselidie

Oxymacaria odontias (An Erebid moth (Macariini) at Birdum, NT - 27 Dec 2025 by chriselidie

Abispa ephippium (Potter wasp, Mason wasp) at Throsby, ACT - 15 Jan 2026 by patrickcox

Carpophagus banksiae (Leaf beetle) at Oallen, NSW - 13 Jan 2026 by Harrisi

Scieropepla typhicola (A Xyloryctid moth (Xyloryctidae) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Jan 2026 by AlisonMilton

Acripeza reticulata (Mountain Katydid) at Anembo, NSW - 12 Jan 2026 by Csteele4

Latest sightings

Unverified Robber fly (Asilidae) at Tharwa, ACT - Yesterday by Harrisi

Unverified Dragonfly (Anisoptera) at Tharwa, ACT - Yesterday by Harrisi

Chondropyga gulosa at Tharwa, ACT - Yesterday by Harrisi

Castiarina thomsoni (A jewel beetle) at Tharwa, ACT - Yesterday by Harrisi

Oreixenica orichora at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Chrysolarentia chrysocyma at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Unverified Grasshopper, Cricket or Katydid (Orthoptera) at Strathnairn, ACT - Yesterday by regeraghty

Unverified Leafhopper or planthopper (Hemiptera, several families) at Strathnairn, ACT - Yesterday by regeraghty

Unverified Bee fly (Bombyliidae) at Fisher, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by mroseby

Unverified Cicada (Hemiptera, Cicadoidea) at Stewart Creek Valley, QLD - 11 Jan 2023 by JasonPStewart

Trapezites symmomus at Braidwood, NSW - Yesterday by MatthewFrawley

Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Braidwood, NSW - Yesterday by MatthewFrawley

Dispar compacta at Braidwood, NSW - Yesterday by MatthewFrawley

Heteronympha cordace at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Chrysolarentia argocyma at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Erina hyacinthina at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Biprorulus bibax (Spined citrus bug) at Aranda, ACT - Yesterday by Banambila

Neolucia agricola at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Chrysolarentia oxygona at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Diemeniana euronotiana (Golden Twanger) at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Nacaduba biocellata at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Neoaratus hercules (Herculean Robber Fly) at Gundaroo, NSW - Yesterday by Gunyijan

Bothriomutilla rugicollis (Mutillid wasp or velvet ant) at Yarralumla, ACT - Yesterday by KMcCue

Unverified Ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) at Yarralumla, ACT - Yesterday by KMcCue

Unverified Insect at Aranda, ACT - Yesterday by KMcCue

Theseus modestus (Gum tree shield bug) at Aranda, ACT - Yesterday by KMcCue

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Reservoir, VIC - Yesterday by Segrare

Chrysolarentia leucozona (White-zoned Carpet) at Cotter River, ACT - 24 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Archimantis sp. (genus) at Canyonleigh, NSW - 30 Jan 2026 by blacksheep

Unverified Dragonfly (Anisoptera) at Canyonleigh, NSW - 31 Jan 2026 by blacksheep

Enicospilus sp. (genus) at Theodore, ACT - 31 Jan 2026 by Cardy

Ocirrhoe unimaculata (Green Stink Bug) at Braidwood, NSW - 31 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Braidwood, NSW - 31 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Dispar compacta at Braidwood, NSW - 31 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Chauliognathus lugubris (Plague Soldier Beetle) at Braidwood, NSW - 31 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Paralucia aurifera at Paddys River, ACT - 31 Jan 2026 by ChrisChapman

Aeolochroma metarhodata (Tea-tree Emerald (Geometrinae)) by CathB

Imma acosma (An Immid moth (Immidae)) by CathB

Syllitus rectus (Longhorn beetle) by DPRees125

Prays nephelomima (Citrus Flower Moth) by CathB

Philobota philostaura (A Concealer moth (Philobota group)) by CathB

Unverified Curved-horn moth (all Gelechioidea except Oecophoridae) by CathB

Phalota binocularis (Longhorn beetle) by DPRees125

Eumolpinae (subfamily) at Cook, ACT - 30 Jan 2026 by CathB

Amata (genus) (Tiger Moth) at Aranda, ACT - 28 Jan 2026 by CathB

Anisynta monticolae at Brindabella, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Chrysolarentia polyxantha (Yellow Carpet Moth) at Brindabella, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Neolucia agricola at Brindabella, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Junonia villida (Meadow Argus) at Braidwood, NSW - 31 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Delta bicinctum (Potter wasp) at Braidwood, NSW - 31 Jan 2026 by MatthewFrawley

Neolucia agricola at Bimberi, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Anisynta monticolae at Bimberi, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Acripeza reticulata (Mountain Katydid) at Cotter River, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Lactura parallela (A Lacturid Group moth (Lacturidae) at Syndicate, QLD - 26 Sep 2022 by JasonPStewart

Heteronympha cordace at Cotter River, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Oreixenica orichora at Cotter River, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Neolucia agricola at Cotter River, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Psaroxantha calligenes (Wingia Group) by DPRees125

Ellipsidion humerale (Common Ellipsidion) at Harrison, ACT - 30 Jan 2026 by DPRees125

Unverified Ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) at Crowther, NSW - 31 Jan 2026 by Frecko

Unverified True fly (Diptera) at Lyons, ACT - 31 Jan 2026 by ran452

Chrysolarentia chrysocyma (Small Radiating Carpet) at Cotter River, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Timoconia flammeata at Cotter River, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Geitoneura klugii at Cotter River, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Nacaduba biocellata at Bimberi, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Timoconia flammeata at Bimberi, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Hednota megalarcha (A Crambid moth) at Bimberi, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Chrysolarentia oxygona (Rippled Carpet) at Cotter River, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by RAllen

Nymphes myrmeleonoides (Blue eyes lacewing) at Wanniassa, ACT - 31 Jan 2026 by SarahH

Doratifera quadriguttata (Four-spotted Cup Moth) at Taylor, ACT - 30 Jan 2026 by Keltshi

Unverified Dragonfly (Anisoptera) by courtneyb

Castiarina thomsoni (A jewel beetle) at Tharwa, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by Harrisi

Castiarina octospilota (A Jewel Beetle) at Tharwa, ACT - 27 Jan 2026 by Harrisi

Nannophya dalei at Tinderry, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by Harrisi

Archaeosynthemis orientalis (Eastern Brown Tigertail) at Tinderry, NSW - 27 Jan 2026 by Harrisi

Paropsisterna agricola (Eucalyptus leaf beetle) at Tharwa, ACT - 25 Jan 2026 by Harrisi

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Discussion

ibaird wrote:

Yesterday

Oncopera alpina looks likely to me.

Oncopera (genus)

ibaird wrote:

Yesterday

I remain to be convinced this is Coleophoridae or Coleophora (genus) given the recognided Australian species in this family or are few and I see none online classified as such similar to this specimen. But yes, family Coleophoridae, is in superfamily Gelechioidea (AFD).
Here on NatureMapr Coleophora alcyonipennella has been correctly allocated to Gelechioidea.
I'm not sure I see the dark spots on this streaked specimen which are similar to Coleophora serinipennella.

Gelechioidea (superfamily)

ibaird wrote:

Yesterday

Perhaps Labdia sp.ANIC5 (there are many images), but I don't see the apparently characteristic downward curve in the white line along the costa that many of those speciimens seem to have.

Elachista flammula

ibaird wrote:

Yesterday

Hi Ponyflorist, thanks for your sighting. The media you provided is missing or unclear. To help us verify this sighting, please provide additional media.

Unverified Moth (Lepidoptera)

ibaird wrote:

Yesterday

Yes the larvae are apparently different siggesting I rotundata.
https://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/lyma/rotundata.html

Iropoca rotundata