authors' picksKerri-Lee HarrisNovember 07, 2021gallery batch 2

Mid Spring survey

authors' picksKerri-Lee HarrisNovember 07, 2021gallery batch 2

Well, hardly a survey. Not methodical, and certainly not complete.
Simply a sample of the latest forest life to capture our attention.
I hope the images convey the activity, colour and some of the diversity (at least of the insect life).
As always, we tend to favour the invertebrates. We continue to neglect the birds, and mammals don’t even get a look in. Insects and spiders are just too interesting! And orchids too, of course.

The flowers

Featured

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Fairy Orchid

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Caladenia alata, with particularly tiny and short-lived flowers.

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Spotted Sun-Orchid

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Thelymitra ixioides … a common species, but this is the first time we’ve found it here in the forest.

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Spotted Sun-Orchid

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Thelymitra ixioides. Thelymitra species typically only open in warm, humid weather. This particular species is less particular than many, and opened most days.

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

ASTERALES, Asteraceae

Golden Everlasting

ASTERALES, Asteraceae

Xerochrysum bracteatum, a native species that has given rise to a variety of cultivars.

ASTERALES, Asteraceae

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Common Donkey Orchid

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Diuris orientis. We first recorded the species here last year, and were delighted when it flowered again this Spring, and in the same spot.

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

ASPARAGALES, Asphodelaceae

Blue Flax-Lily

ASPARAGALES, Asphodelaceae

Dianella caerulea … this, the first flower of the season, opened on 22nd October. At that time many of the distinctive plants, with their broad, bright green leaves, sported tall, budding flower spikes. But then the wallabies got busy, and now most are topless. It happens every year!

ASPARAGALES, Asphodelaceae

MYRTALES, Myrtaceae

Crimson Bottlebrush

MYRTALES, Myrtaceae

Melaleuca citrina … until quite recently known as Callistemon citrina. This plant regrew from rootstock, post fire, and these are the very first flowers.

MYRTALES, Myrtaceae

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Slender Sun-Orchid

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Thelymitra pauciflora … an exciting find for us. This is the first time we’ve seen this species here.

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Slender Sun-Orchid

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Thelymitra pauciflora. Given that the small flowers opened for just a few hours, on just one day, we feel very fortunate indeed to have seen this orchid.

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Large Flying Duck Orchids

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Caleana major. These two are among a group of about 20 flowers … quite a flock. Their close proximity suggests that they have all grown from the tubers of a single plant. Indeed, this is the site where we first spotted the species … just one flower, in October 2014.

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

ASTERALES, Stylidiaceae

Triggerplant

ASTERALES, Stylidiaceae

Stylidium. The first flowers opened on 2nd November, considerably later than last year when it bloomed from mid September. I’ve been eagerly awaiting them, not only because they attract a range of bees, but because their pollination mechanism is quite dramatic. (for more, take a look at last year’s blog)

ASTERALES, Stylidiaceae

Triggerplant

ASTERALES, Stylidiaceae

Stylidium. We have assumed this to be Stylidium graminifolium, but there is another possibility … Stylidium armeria. Paul is currently re-imaging, re-measuring leaves, and researching. Whichever it is, their floral mechanism is likely to be identical. (see iNaturalist discussion)

ASTERALES, Stylidiaceae

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Red Beard Orchid

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Calochilus paludosus. We’ve been on the lookout for this species, which flowered in early October last year. We spotted this one yesterday, well past its prime. Clearly we’d overlooked it for weeks … which is surprisingly easy to do with these orchids.

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Tiger Orchid

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

Diuris sulphurea. A common and widespread Diuris species, currently flowering throughout the forest.

ASPARAGALES, Orchidaceae

ASPARAGALES, Asparagaceae

Common Fringe-Lily

ASPARAGALES, Asparagaceae

Thysanotus tuberosus. We spotted the first of the season’s flowers just a few days ago, and now they are blooming widely.

ASPARAGALES, Asparagaceae

The bees and wasps

Featured

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

sweat bee

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

A medium-sized native, possibly Halictinae, laden with Aotus pollen

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

Green-and-gold Nomia bee

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

Lipotriches (Austronomia) australica are medium-sized, ground-nesting bees. This female was one of several bees species collecting pollen and nectar from Aotus flowers.

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

HYMENOPTERA, Apidae

European Honey Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Apidae

Apis mellifera, an introduced species. They are larger than most of our local native bees, and are unwelcome competitors for scarce resources. Best recognised by the waxy balls of pollen carried on each flattened back leg and her very hairy eyes.

HYMENOPTERA, Apidae

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

Podagritus wasps

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

Podagritus, a ground-nesting wasp species I watched for many hours last year. But in that time I never did spot a mated pair. Paul captured this pair on 13th October, our first sighting for the season.

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

bubbling bee

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (probably), concentrating nectar by bubbling to evaporate excess water.

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

HYMENOPTERA, Ichneumonidae

parasitic wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Ichneumonidae

Yet another small, colourful wasp that we can’t yet put a name to. Almost certainly an ichneumond, but that is a very large group!

HYMENOPTERA, Ichneumonidae

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

mating flower wasps

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Species unknown (to me), as is the case for nearly all flower wasps. This shot was taken just seconds after the male managed to connect with the flightless female. He had been holding her with his legs, but now the coupling is secure.

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

HYMENOPTERA, Ichneumonidae

parasitic wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Ichneumonidae

Metopius. A parasitoid of caterpillars, particularly those that live in rolled leaves. She has no sting – but her shape and colour might fool predators into mistaking her for a stinging paper wasp.

HYMENOPTERA, Ichneumonidae

HYMENOPTERA, Chrysididae

cuckoo wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Chrysididae

Primeuchroeus really are very small. This one was searching the leaf litter, presumably seeking the burrows of ground-nesting bees or wasps.

HYMENOPTERA, Chrysididae

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

spider-hunting solitary wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

Pison … this species is smaller than many in the genus. Pison paralyse and gather spiders on which to raise their larvae. They typically use mud to build cells in nooks and crannies.

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Masked Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Hylaeus (Prosopisteron) … an extremely tiny bee, just 3-4mm long. She releases pollen from this Hibbertia by vibrating the anthers. Like other members of the family Colletidae, she transports pollen by swallowing it (rather than carrying it on her legs or body).

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Masked Bee, in hiding

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Hylaeus. Wahlenbergia flowers are a favourite haunt of small masked bees. This one would hunker down in the bell of the flower, periodically emerging (as in the cover photo) to posture, groom or sun itself. I presume it’s a male on the lookout for a mate.

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

mating flower wasps

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Subfamily Thynninae, species unknown. The wingless female is feeding from a drop of liquid supplied by the much larger male. Most species feed head-to-head, but this one regularly adopts this posture. I’ve not seen this reported in descriptions of flower wasp behaviour.

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

HYMENOPTERA, Ichneumonidae

parasitic wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Ichneumonidae

Yet another unidentified ichneumonid, and definitely a parasite of moth caterpillars. I watched on as she repeatedly explored the case hanging in the shade of the leaves. She injected her long ovipositor into the case, several times, in several places.

HYMENOPTERA, Ichneumonidae

LEPIDOPTERA, Psychidae

case moth caterpillar

LEPIDOPTERA, Psychidae

… newly parasitised! Having watched the wasp inject her eggs, I moved the leaves to get a better look at her target. The plates of bark the moth has used as camouflage and protection were clearly not enough. The caterpillar will continue to live and feed until the wasp larva has fully grown. Unless another parasitic wasp comes along in the meantime.

LEPIDOPTERA, Psychidae

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

spider wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

The long legs with prominent spines, combined with the characteristic ‘jump, hop, wing-flick’ behaviour identify this as a spider wasp. They’re an increasingly common sight of late, various species and a range of sizes.

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

sweat bee

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

Lasioglossum (probably). I was photographing this flower when a photo-bombing bee arrived. She vigorously ‘buzzed’ the anthers and was soon covered in pollen.

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

The beetles

Featured

COLEOPTERA, Lycidae

Long-nosed Lycid Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Lycidae

Porrostoma rhipidium … at least, I think it is. Porrostoma rhipidium has excellent mimics including jewel beetles, weevils, longhorn beetles and even flies!

COLEOPTERA, Lycidae

Long-nosed Lycid Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Lycidae

Porrostoma rhipidium, resting after rain.

COLEOPTERA, Lycidae

COLEOPTERA, Curculionidae

grass weevils

COLEOPTERA, Curculionidae

Aoplocnemis rufipes. We regularly find these small weevils - individually or in tandem – on the tussock grass Poa labillardierei.

COLEOPTERA, Curculionidae

COLEOPTERA, Cleridae

checkered beetle

COLEOPTERA, Cleridae

Eleale pucher. As an adult, this small beetle feeds on flowers. The larvae are reportedly found under loose bark.

COLEOPTERA, Cleridae

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

chafer

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Diphucephala, arguably more attractive than the typical brown or black beetles of this family.

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

leaf beetle

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

Mecynodera coxalgica. Despite the large back legs and the common name ‘Kangaroo Beetle’, this species doesn’t jump. They feed on pollen … and this one was found on flowering Gahnia, with pollen-laden anthers readily accessible.

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

COLEOPTERA, Carabidae

ground beetle

COLEOPTERA, Carabidae

Carenum bonelli. This burrowing, predatory, flightless, (and beautiful!) beetle is yet another first for our home list. It is a large, Australian genus, and we are only able to identify it to species level thanks to experienced coleopterist Mark Hura (via iNaturalist).

COLEOPTERA, Carabidae

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Hairy Spotted Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Anoplognathus velutinus … a Christmas Beetle! Although not quite as iridescent as some other members of the genus, this large beetle is nonetheless eye-catching. Several were attracted to our moth light sheet this month. And it’s another first for our home list.

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

COLEOPTERA, Cerambycidae

longhorn beetle

COLEOPTERA, Cerambycidae

Amphirhoe sloanei. The larvae of this day-active beetle develop in the dead or dying branches of Acacia. Well, we have plenty of those!

COLEOPTERA, Cerambycidae

longhorn beetle

COLEOPTERA, Cerambycidae

Amphirhoe sloanei. This distinctive species is found from Rockhampton (QLD) all the way around the coast to South Australia. Yet we’d not seen it before.

COLEOPTERA, Cerambycidae

COLEOPTERA, Curculionidae

Elephant Weevil

COLEOPTERA, Curculionidae

Orthorhinus cylindrirostris. This rather large weevil was apparently attracted to the house lights. Larvae feed inside eucalypt stems, while the adults eat buds and young shoots.

COLEOPTERA, Curculionidae

The flies

Featured

DIPTERA, Therevidae

stiletto fly

DIPTERA, Therevidae

Ectinorhynchus … low-flying, breeding swarms are a common sight in October.

DIPTERA, Therevidae

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

bee fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Aleucosia, one of dozens of species in this genus.

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

DIPTERA, Limoniidae

crane fly

DIPTERA, Limoniidae

perhaps Gynoplistia … and not a species we’ve seen before

DIPTERA, Limoniidae

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

bee fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Meomyia fasciculata (perhaps) … but certainly a species we’ve not noticed before.

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

bee fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

We’re seeing this rather small, plain bee fly quite often of late … but it’s not a species we know.

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

bee fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Systoechus perhaps??

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

bee fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Staurostichus. Reasonably large, reasonably common.

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

bee fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Meomyia albiceps, arguably our most common bee fly – but apparently less widespread or well known than the similar-looking Meomyia sericans.

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

bee fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Meomyia albiceps. Paul noticed several of these bee flies repeatedly hovering and landing on a patch of firm soil. He has done some follow up reading and is planning a blog about this quite fascinating behaviour. It’s not quite what one might think!

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

banded bee fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Villa. This genus has a worldwide distribution, although I suspect that most of our species are endemic. The larvae develop inside their insect hosts: usually caterpillars, but sometimes fly larvae or beetle grubs.

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Other insects

Featured

LEPIDOPTERA, Nymphalidae

Australian Painted Lady

LEPIDOPTERA, Nymphalidae

Vanessa kershawi … a common and widespread species, here nectar-feeding on Stackhousia

LEPIDOPTERA, Nymphalidae

LEPIDOPTERA, Glyphipterigidae

sedge moth

LEPIDOPTERA, Glyphipterigidae

Glyphipterix cometophora. Small, day-active moths that flash their shining wings in rhythmic motion.

LEPIDOPTERA, Glyphipterigidae

ODONATA, Lestidae

Wandering Ringtail

ODONATA, Lestidae

Austrolestes leda. A female, deep in the forest – well away from the pond with its patrolling males.

ODONATA, Lestidae

Slender Ringtail

ODONATA, Lestidae

Austrolestes annalis. Paul discovered this immature male resting in the forest … and I mistakenly assumed it was another Austrolestes leda female. I should have looked more closely … clearly a male, clearly distinct in shape and markings. And a new species for our home list!

ODONATA, Lestidae

LEPIDOPTERA, Pieridae

Black Jezabel

LEPIDOPTERA, Pieridae

Delias nigra, feeding on Stackhousia. This species is an uncommon sighting here … we are the southernmost extent of its reported range.

LEPIDOPTERA, Pieridae

Imperial Jezabel

LEPIDOPTERA, Pieridae

Delias harpalyce, larger and more common than Delias nigra. The Stackhousia were attracting these butterflies down from the canopy, where they are typically searching for mistletoe.

LEPIDOPTERA, Pieridae

LEPIDOPTERA, Lycaenidae

Bright Copper

LEPIDOPTERA, Lycaenidae

Paralucia aurifer, the first butterfly species to appear this Spring. Like this one, many are starting to look rather worn. Battles for mates and attacks by birds take their toll.

LEPIDOPTERA, Lycaenidae

ODONATA, Argiolestidae

Common Flatwing

ODONATA, Argiolestidae

Austroargiolestes icteromelas … one of the more common damselfly species of the forest

ODONATA, Argiolestidae

LEPIDOPTERA, Oecophoridae

concealer moth

LEPIDOPTERA, Oecophoridae

Philobota arabella is one of the many small to medium sized moths that flutter from their low perches when disturbed by our wanderings.

LEPIDOPTERA, Oecophoridae

ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae

katydid nymph

ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae

Genus Caedicia. It will probably change colour quite dramatically as it moults and grows … many katydid nymphs do.

ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae

LEPIDOPTERA, Hesperiidae

skipper butterfly

LEPIDOPTERA, Hesperiidae

Pasma tasmanica, a species we’ve not recorded here previously. But then again, skippers are notoriously tricky to identify, and many of our older photos remain in the (slightly) too-hard basket. For now.

LEPIDOPTERA, Hesperiidae

HEMIPTERA, Miridae

plant bug

HEMIPTERA, Miridae

Pseudopantilius australis. A rather large, sap-feeding bug known to feed on Pultenaea, Hakea and Leptospermum. This one was perched on Leucopogon, but not apparently feeding.

HEMIPTERA, Miridae

ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae

katydid hatchling

ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae

This small insect and its many siblings are the stars of Paul’s latest post, ‘Breaking Out’. We watched on as they each pulled free of their egg case and immediately underwent the first (rather difficult) moult.

ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae

LEPIDOPTERA, Nymphalidae

Common Brown Ringlet

LEPIDOPTERA, Nymphalidae

Hypocysta metirius. We are at the very southern limit of this species’ reported distribution. Indeed, there are currently more than 1000 records on iNaturalist – and all are north of us.

LEPIDOPTERA, Nymphalidae

HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae

Black Squeaker

HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae

Atrapsalta encaustica. The soft, repetitive calls of this species are becoming the background soundtrack of the forest. It is quite a small cicada, and well camouflaged against the bark of dead or burnt trees.

HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae

LEPIDOPTERA, Anthelidae

anthelid moth

LEPIDOPTERA, Anthelidae

Anthela sp. … alive and well, but not for long. A short time after I took this photo I noticed a huntsman spider making a meal of this very attractive moth. Life, and death, in the forest.

LEPIDOPTERA, Anthelidae

The spiders

Featured

ARANEAE, Oxyopidae

Graceful-legs Lynx

ARANEAE, Oxyopidae

Oxyopes gracilipes … an ambush predator, awaiting flower-visiting insects.

ARANEAE, Oxyopidae

ARANEAE, Tetragnathidae

long-jawed orbweaver

ARANEAE, Tetragnathidae

Tetragnatha (most likely). These slender spiders are common above water, and the frog pond is festooned with them.

ARANEAE, Tetragnathidae

ARANEAE, Araneidae

Sooty Orbweaver

ARANEAE, Araneidae

Cyclosa fuliginata, a very common species in south-eastern Australia.

ARANEAE, Araneidae

ARANEAE, Salticidae

Flying Peacock Spider

ARANEAE, Salticidae

Maratus volans. The males are small but glorious, and bold hunters among low vegetation and leaf litter.

ARANEAE, Salticidae

Flying Peacock Spider

ARANEAE, Salticidae

Maratus volans. In 1894 when this species was named, it was thought to use the side flaps of the body to fly … volans means ‘flying’ in Latin. They don’t fly, but they do raise the brilliant gold flaps in courtship. I would love to witness this!

ARANEAE, Salticidae

ARANEAE, Oxyopidae

lynx spider

ARANEAE, Oxyopidae

Oxyopes, a mature male sporting very large, showy pedipalps.

ARANEAE, Oxyopidae

ARANEAE, Araneidae

Outback Orb-weaver

ARANEAE, Araneidae

Backobourkia. This genus is often associated with western regions … hence the very ‘Australiana’ name. The most common outback species is apparently quite large. Its eastern cousins, like this one, are of a more modest size.

ARANEAE, Araneidae

ARANEAE, Sparassidae

Badge Huntsman Spider

ARANEAE, Sparassidae

Neosparassus diana. This rather delicate huntsman species hunts at night and is a common sight in low forest vegetation. They apparently prey on various arthropods … including rather large moths, such as this ill-fated anthelid.

ARANEAE, Sparassidae

ARANEAE, Corinnidae

Spotted Ground Swift Spider

ARANEAE, Corinnidae

Nyssus coloripes. Although it’s called a ground spider, this particular species seems to favour fallen branches as its hunting ground. It is reported to be a mutilid wasp (‘velvet ant’) mimic … although I can’t see it myself.

ARANEAE, Corinnidae

Other animals

Featured

CORACIIFORMES, Alcedinidae

Sacred Kingfishers

CORACIIFORMES, Alcedinidae

Todiramphus sanctus. They’re back!

CORACIIFORMES, Alcedinidae

Sacred Kingfisher

CORACIIFORMES, Alcedinidae

Todiramphus sanctus. Having wintered in the north, a pair have returned to their regular nest hole. We assume it’s the same pair … seems a good bet.

CORACIIFORMES, Alcedinidae

SQUAMATA, Elapidae

Mustard-bellied Snake

SQUAMATA, Elapidae

Drysdalia rhodogaster. A small, day-active snake … and just the second snake we’ve seen this season. The other was a Red-bellied Black-Snake, swimming (and hunting!) in the frog pond.

SQUAMATA, Elapidae

ANURA

frog eggs

ANURA

The pond is a multi-species chorus of frog calls of late, and is rapidly filling with frog eggs. Tree Frogs (Litoria peronii), Toadlets (Pseudophryne dendyi), Froglets (Crinia signifera), Marsh Frogs (Limnodynastes peronii) … and perhaps others.

ANURA

PASSERIFORMES, Acanthizidae

White-browed Scrubwren

PASSERIFORMES, Acanthizidae

Sericornis frontalis. This juvenile was one of several birds noisily foraging among the densely regrowing wattles.

PASSERIFORMES, Acanthizidae

Kerri-Lee Harris