Insects

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

Featured sightings

Ophidius histrio (Ornate click beetle) at Bonny Hills, NSW - 30 Jan 2025 by pls047

Didymuria violescens (Spur-legged stick insect) at Brindabella, NSW - 26 Jan 2025 by NedJohnston

Phaulacridium vittatum (Wingless Grasshopper) at Paddys River, ACT - 26 Jan 2025 by dgb900

Syndesus cornutus (Stag beetle) at Harrison, ACT - 25 Jan 2025 by DPRees125

Tetraschalis arachnodes (A Plume moth (Pterophorinae)) at Kangaroo Valley, NSW - 19 Jan 2025 by Chakola

Austroaeschna tasmanica (Tasmanian Darner) at Lenah Valley, TAS - 24 Jan 2025 by VanessaC

Pergidae sp. (family) at Smiggin Holes, NSW - 21 Jan 2025 by Harrisi

Choreutis metallica (A Metalmark moth (Choreutinae) at Burnside, QLD - 23 Jan 2025 by clarehoneydove

Latest sightings

Agrilus hypoleucus at Strathnairn, ACT by jb2602

Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Cotter River, ACT by SandraH

Heteronympha merope at Mittagong, NSW by Span102

Ischnura heterosticta at Mittagong, NSW by Span102

Chauliognathus lugubris at Tarago, NSW by DrDJDavidJ

Agrotis porphyricollis at Lyons, ACT by ran452

Unidentified True fly (Diptera) at Lyons, ACT by ran452

Microchilo gelastis at Jerrabomberra, NSW by DianneClarke

Unidentified Insect at Acton, ACT by Numbat

Jalmenus ictinus at Booth, ACT by RAllen

Paralucia aurifera at Booth, ACT by RAllen

Geitoneura acantha (Ringed Xenica) at Booth, ACT by RAllen

Unidentified True fly (Diptera) at Gundaroo, NSW by Gunyijan

Charaxes sempronius at Splitters Creek, NSW by KylieWaldon

Unidentified Flower wasp (Scoliidae or Tiphiidae) at Wodonga, VIC by KylieWaldon

Castiarina dimidiata at Tinderry, NSW by Harrisi

Castiarina crenata (Jewel beetle) at Tinderry, NSW by Harrisi

Diphucrania duodecimmaculata (12-spot jewel beetle) at Tinderry, NSW by Harrisi

Onitis alexis at Jerrabomberra, NSW by DianneClarke

Castiarina octospilota (A Jewel Beetle) at Tinderry, NSW by Harrisi

Selagis caloptera (Caloptera jewel beetle) at Tinderry, NSW by Harrisi

Hypobapta (genus) at Jerrabomberra, NSW by DianneClarke

Garrha (genus) at Jerrabomberra, NSW by DianneClarke

Limnaecia polycydista (Cosmopteriginae) at Jerrabomberra, NSW by DianneClarke

Cyneoterpna wilsoni at Jerrabomberra, NSW by DianneClarke

Gastrimargus musicus at Fyshwick, ACT by RodDeb

Castiarina delectabilis (A jewel beetle) at Tinderry, NSW by Harrisi

Castiarina nasuta (A jewel beetle) at Tinderry, NSW by Harrisi

Acyphas (genus) at Tinderry, NSW by Harrisi

Aenetus ligniveren at Tinderry, NSW by RobG1

Myrmeleon acer (Myrmeleon Antlion Lacewing) at Jerrabomberra, NSW by SteveBorkowskis

Cryptobothrus chrysophorus at Higgins, ACT by Nepenthe

Unidentified Wasp (Hymenoptera, Apocrita) at Kambah, ACT by HelenCross

Crypsiphona ocultaria (Red-lined Looper Moth) at Kambah, ACT by HelenCross

Mantidae - egg case (family) at Morpeth, NSW by HildaHen

Unidentified Insect at Krawarree, NSW by stellabellaxx

Epilachna sumbana (A Leaf-eating Ladybird) at Krawarree, NSW by stellabellaxx

Unidentified Grasshopper (several families) at Krawarree, NSW by stellabellaxx

Neorrhina punctatum (Spotted flower chafer) at Booth, ACT by RAllen

Geitoneura acantha at Booth, ACT by RAllen

Chrysonoma fascialis (A Concealer moth (Wingia group) at Booth, ACT by RAllen

Chrysolarentia euclidiata (Euclidean Carpet) at Rendezvous Creek, ACT by RAllen

Speiredonia spectans at Pipeclay, NSW by MVM

Scirtidae (family) at Bungendore, NSW by clarehoneydove

Calopompilus affectata at Fitzroy Falls, NSW by NedJohnston

Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Marulan, NSW by NedJohnston

Gastrimargus musicus (Yellow-winged Locust or Grasshopper) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Plectobela (genus) (A Concealer moth (Wingia Group)) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Oedaleus australis at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Acrida conica (Giant green slantface) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Monolepta juno at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group (Jack jumper) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Macrotona securiformis at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Unidentified Robber fly (Asilidae) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Faveria tritalis at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Paropsis atomaria (Eucalyptus leaf beetle) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Macrotona australis at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Unidentified Bee (Hymenoptera, Apiformes) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Goniaea carinata at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Unidentified Bee (Hymenoptera, Apiformes) at Aranda, ACT by KMcCue

Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Aranda, ACT by KMcCue

Acrida conica (Giant green slantface) at Aranda, ACT by KMcCue

Elaphodes cervinus (Leaf beetle) at Bungendore, NSW by clarehoneydove

Camponotus aeneopilosus (A Golden-tailed sugar ant) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Paropsisterna agricola (Eucalyptus leaf beetle) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Trachymela sloanei at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Oxyops fasciculatus (A weevil) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Paropsides umbrosa at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Unidentified Case moth (Psychidae) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Geitoneura klugii at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Cadmus (Cadmus) litigiosus (Leaf beetle) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Calomela curtisi (Acacia leaf beetle) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Macrobathra desmotoma ( A Cosmet moth) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Faveria tritalis (Couchgrass Webworm) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Calomela vittata at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Glycaspis sp. (genus) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Iridomyrmex purpureus (Meat Ant) at Yass River, NSW by ConBoekel

Chrysopogon muelleri (Robber fly) at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Ommatius coeraebus at Symonston, ACT by JRCNM

Chauliognathus lugubris (Plague Soldier Beetle) at Acton, ACT by SandraH

Adversaeschna brevistyla (Blue-spotted Hawker) at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Paropsis pictipennis (Tea-tree button beetle) at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Cerdistus sp. (genus) at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Austroaeschna sp. (genus) at Jingera, NSW by Csteele4

Chrysopogon muelleri at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Callibracon sp. (genus) (A White Flank Black Braconid Wasp) at Jingera, NSW by Csteele4

Synthemis eustalacta (Swamp Tigertail) at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Unidentified Eucalyptus Gall at Lawson, ACT by AlisonMilton

Colepia ingloria at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Unidentified Grasshopper (several families) at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Tetrigidae (family) at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Ischnura heterosticta (Common Bluetail Damselfly) at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

Dicranosterna immaculata (Acacia leaf beetle) at Strathnairn, ACT by KorinneM

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Discussion

jb2602 wrote:

1 min ago

Specimen A: length 9 mm; length/width = 4.8; hind leg tarsus 1 - long (as long as next 3)

Agrilus hypoleucus

WendyEM wrote:

22 min ago

a good match with https://bold-au.hobern.net/specimen.php?processid=ANICW1414-11 including white band on end & half way on antennae, orange around eyes, and on palps

Limnaecia polycydista

WendyEM wrote:

28 min ago

this moth resembles Plectobela sp. The size and shape of the brown ring is closest to P. ecliptica but all those illustrated on BOLD (Hobern) have a brown patch on the thorax. P zanclotoma does not have this patch but the ring on the wing is smaller.

Plectobela (genus)

WendyEM wrote:

51 min ago

this moth has a good hind- and forewing match for the male of Chrysolarentia euclidiata as illustrated in Moths of Victroria Part3. An additional guide is that Chrysolarentia euclidiata is a very small Chrysolarentia species and in comparison with the grass on which this moth is photographed, this moth is quite small.

Chrysolarentia euclidiata

entom2 wrote:

2 hrs ago

No worries Stuart! I like to know about such extra-limital records (which we can now consider as being 'within limits', ha!), so good work! Providing an ID with a high confidence highlights the importance of having as comprehensive as possible a private reference collection, preferably with multiples of each species that have been reliably identified, that can one can look at in mere moments, compared to public collections that take an enormous amount of time, money, and energy to visit in order to look at specimens, which may or may not have the species you want to look at! Of course, in cases of uncertainty / if the original descriptions are inadequate, one must try to look at the type specimen / syntypes, where accessible, but not always possible / affordable, as the types of many Australian species are in Europe! Cheers, Allen

Temognatha limbata

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