Although we didn’t plan it, the walls of our house provide an excellent night life venue. The rough surface gives purchase. The eaves afford shelter. The window shutters provide hiding places. And most significantly, a lit window on a dark night is simply irresistible.
For a week or so either side of the September new moon, we’ve been keeping tabs on our night-time visitors.
A moth party
The moths have been a real treat. At least 37 different species in just 21 days (well, nights), keeping Paul busy with ID checks. All are native to Australia, including six species we’d never seen here before* … taking our moth home list to 272 confirmed species!
Beyond moths
Of course, it’s not just moths. Other insects are drawn to the light and hunters follow for the chance of an easy meal. Some are residents, such as orbweavers and huntsmans. Others are wanderers, including wolf spiders, centipedes, and scorpions.
Again, the photos below were all taken in the last couple of weeks.
Hunters are hunted too
A few nights ago I spotted two wolf spiders together on the ground at the base of the wall. My first thought: a mated pair. But after a closer look I now have a more gruesome suggestion: the smaller male was feeding on the fat-bodied female! She was definitely immobilised and damaged. And he was definitely keen to keep hold of her. I shooed him off once (for a better look) but he quickly returned to claim his prize.
The morning after the night before
Early this morning I spotted a snake sun basking alongside the house wall. This spot was a frog playground only hours earlier … and frogs are the snake’s main prey. Indeed, once disturbed it headed straight for the nearby pond and disappeared under water.
Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)
Paul grabbed this short video of the action … complete with my impromptu commentary (oops!).
This is the first snake we’ve seen since the fire. Red-bellied Black Snakes were regular visitors to the pond in past years. We’re very pleased to welcome them back.
For a couple of weeks this month we’ve been taking note of our nocturnal house visitors. It’s quite a collection!
A view of an insect making the transformation from nymph to adult under the cover of darkness
On a rainy night, with Trapdoor and Funnel Web Spiders climbing the walls, it is a tiny white spider that catches my attention - and a large meal.
A resident Two-spined Spider has turned her Banksia home into a very busy nursery web.
I rediscover the Ogre-faced Netcaster spider and her amazing method of trapping prey
