NIGHT LIFE, authors' picksKerri-Lee & Paulgallery batch 2

Night moves

NIGHT LIFE, authors' picksKerri-Lee & Paulgallery batch 2
Night moves

A warm, calm summers night. All quiet … except for the occasional calls of gliders and possums, the screeching of crickets, croaking frogs, and the rustle of small hidden mammals. So not so quiet at all. Plus there’s plenty of silent action in the undergrowth.
Here are a few of those out and about on 24th January, 2026.

Featured
A large, lone spider astride a twig catches my eye with its near-perfect symmetry. Delena cancerides (‘social huntsman’) - male
ARANEAE, Sparassidae
ARANEAE, Sparassidae

A large, lone spider astride a twig catches my eye with its near-perfect symmetry.

Delena cancerides (‘social huntsman’) - male

ARANEAE, Sparassidae
More delicate symmetry suspended from the low vegetation. Imbophorus aptalis (plume moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Pterophoridae
LEPIDOPTERA, Pterophoridae

More delicate symmetry suspended from the low vegetation.

Imbophorus aptalis (plume moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Pterophoridae
Sawfly larvae are typically gregarious, and it is common to see them neatly aligned when feeding. More lovely symmetry! These were rapidly devouring a eucalypt leaf. perhaps Lophyrotoma
HYMENOPTERA, Pergidae
HYMENOPTERA, Pergidae

Sawfly larvae are typically gregarious, and it is common to see them neatly aligned when feeding. More lovely symmetry! These were rapidly devouring a eucalypt leaf.

perhaps Lophyrotoma

HYMENOPTERA, Pergidae
Forest cockroaches are many and varied, some with striking colour patterns. They are typically hidden in the leaf litter or under bark during the day … but at night it is not uncommon to find them out and about. Platyzosteria (litter runner cockr
BLATTODEA, Blattidae
BLATTODEA, Blattidae

Forest cockroaches are many and varied, some with striking colour patterns. They are typically hidden in the leaf litter or under bark during the day … but at night it is not uncommon to find them out and about.

Platyzosteria (litter runner cockroach)

BLATTODEA, Blattidae
One of the most common and widespread of mantids. Orthodera ministralis (Australian Garden Mantis)
MANTODEA, Mantidae
MANTODEA, Mantidae

One of the most common and widespread of mantids.

Orthodera ministralis (Australian Garden Mantis)

MANTODEA, Mantidae
A species we hear at the pond only occasionally. They have been making their presence known since the heavy rain last week. This one was deep in forest, far removed from any standing water. And very obliging for the camera! Limnodynastes dumerilii
ANURA, Limnodynastidae
ANURA, Limnodynastidae

A species we hear at the pond only occasionally. They have been making their presence known since the heavy rain last week. This one was deep in forest, far removed from any standing water. And very obliging for the camera!

Limnodynastes dumerilii (Eastern Banjo Frog; Pobblebonk)

ANURA, Limnodynastidae
Orthodera ministralis (Australian Garden Mantis)
MANTODEA, Mantidae
MANTODEA, Mantidae

Orthodera ministralis (Australian Garden Mantis)

MANTODEA, Mantidae
Common and widespread in forests and woodlands. Johnrehnia (forest cockroach)
BLATTODEA, Blatellidae
BLATTODEA, Blatellidae

Common and widespread in forests and woodlands.

Johnrehnia (forest cockroach)

BLATTODEA, Blatellidae
10:15pm Recent warm days have brought the summer cicada chorus to life. By day most are out of sight, high in forest canopy. So it was a special treat to find this one just emerging after many months (or perhaps years) spent underground. Psaltoda
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae

10:15pm

Recent warm days have brought the summer cicada chorus to life. By day most are out of sight, high in forest canopy. So it was a special treat to find this one just emerging after many months (or perhaps years) spent underground.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)

HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
10:44pm Emergence from the final nymphal skin is a slow, laborious process. At this stage the legs are free but the wings have yet to begin their expansion. Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae

10:44pm

Emergence from the final nymphal skin is a slow, laborious process. At this stage the legs are free but the wings have yet to begin their expansion.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)

HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
11:53pm Within an hour, the wings are fully expanded. Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae

11:53pm

Within an hour, the wings are fully expanded.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)

HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
12:17am It takes time for the cuticle to harden, and until then the insect hangs motionless by the claws on its front pair of legs. Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae

12:17am

It takes time for the cuticle to harden, and until then the insect hangs motionless by the claws on its front pair of legs.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)

HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
1:00am By morning, the entire body will be jet black. Indeed, it took me a while to recognise the species. Even the wings will develop distinctive dark ‘infuscations’, characteristic of the species but not at all evident yet. Psaltoda moerens (R
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae

1:00am

By morning, the entire body will be jet black. Indeed, it took me a while to recognise the species. Even the wings will develop distinctive dark ‘infuscations’, characteristic of the species but not at all evident yet.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)

HEMIPTERA, Cicadidae
A small, delicate nymph – and a species we see often. Ctenomorpha marginipennis (Margin-winged Stick Insect)
PHASMIDA, Phasmatidae
PHASMIDA, Phasmatidae

A small, delicate nymph – and a species we see often.

Ctenomorpha marginipennis (Margin-winged Stick Insect)

PHASMIDA, Phasmatidae
13cm in length, but apparently still a nymph (based on the short wings). Phasmids are vegetarians, this one munching away on the tough leaves of a young Banksia . Ctenomorpha marginipennis (Margin-winged Stick Insect)
PHASMIDA, Phasmatidae
PHASMIDA, Phasmatidae

13cm in length, but apparently still a nymph (based on the short wings). Phasmids are vegetarians, this one munching away on the tough leaves of a young Banksia.

Ctenomorpha marginipennis (Margin-winged Stick Insect)

PHASMIDA, Phasmatidae
One of our more common, medium-sized moths. The impressive antennae mark this one a male Anthela acuta
LEPIDOPTERA, Anthelidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Anthelidae

One of our more common, medium-sized moths. The impressive antennae mark this one a male

Anthela acuta

LEPIDOPTERA, Anthelidae
A male … the antennae are the clue. Opodiphthera helena (gum moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Saturniidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Saturniidae

A male … the antennae are the clue.

Opodiphthera helena (gum moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Saturniidae
With a wing span of 13cm, sightings of these gentle giants are always a treat. Opodiphthera helena (gum moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Saturniidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Saturniidae

With a wing span of 13cm, sightings of these gentle giants are always a treat.

Opodiphthera helena (gum moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Saturniidae
Like the adults, the caterpillars are sensational – large and colourful, feeding in the open on eucalypt leaves. Yet we have never seen one! Perhaps they are out of our reach, high in the forest canopy. Opodiphthera helena (gum moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Saturniidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Saturniidae

Like the adults, the caterpillars are sensational – large and colourful, feeding in the open on eucalypt leaves. Yet we have never seen one! Perhaps they are out of our reach, high in the forest canopy.

Opodiphthera helena (gum moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Saturniidae
There is something particularly endearing about passalid beetles. They live in family groups, the adults caring for their growing larvae under rotting logs. And they’re vocal! When disturbed, they buzz in a way that is clearly audible to humans. A
COLEOPTERA, Passalidae
COLEOPTERA, Passalidae

There is something particularly endearing about passalid beetles. They live in family groups, the adults caring for their growing larvae under rotting logs. And they’re vocal! When disturbed, they buzz in a way that is clearly audible to humans.

Aulacocyclus edentulus (Bess beetle)

COLEOPTERA, Passalidae
Click beetles can be devilishly difficult to identify, but this one is distinguished by its large size (36mm long) … and those extraordinary antennae! Pseudotetralobus (click beetle)
COLEOPTERA, Elateridae
COLEOPTERA, Elateridae

Click beetles can be devilishly difficult to identify, but this one is distinguished by its large size (36mm long) … and those extraordinary antennae!

Pseudotetralobus (click beetle)

COLEOPTERA, Elateridae
12:55am Wolf spiders are mobile hunters. This one has taken a large sugar ant. Venator spenceri (wolf spider)
ARANEAE, Lycosidae
ARANEAE, Lycosidae

12:55am

Wolf spiders are mobile hunters. This one has taken a large sugar ant.

Venator spenceri (wolf spider)

ARANEAE, Lycosidae
1:45am Mobile they might be, but this feeding wolfie wasn’t going far. Nearly an hour after I first spied her, she was still in the same patch of forest floor … and still with a mouthful of ant. Venator spenceri (wolf spider)
ARANEAE, Lycosidae
ARANEAE, Lycosidae

1:45am

Mobile they might be, but this feeding wolfie wasn’t going far. Nearly an hour after I first spied her, she was still in the same patch of forest floor … and still with a mouthful of ant.

Venator spenceri (wolf spider)

ARANEAE, Lycosidae
No prizes for guessing … this one a common orb weaver. She has just started to construct her web. The supporting lines are in place. The next steps will be to weave the spiral. Hortophora (garden orb-weaver)
ARANEAE, Araneidae
ARANEAE, Araneidae

No prizes for guessing … this one a common orb weaver. She has just started to construct her web. The supporting lines are in place. The next steps will be to weave the spiral.

Hortophora (garden orb-weaver)

ARANEAE, Araneidae
Nearly 8cm long, but a caterpillar we’ve never seen before. The adults are familiar – although we saw none this night. Unsurprising, as they tend to fly in April-May. So I’m guessing this huge caterpillar will soon pupate. Chelepteryx chalepteryx
LEPIDOPTERA, Anthelidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Anthelidae

Nearly 8cm long, but a caterpillar we’ve never seen before. The adults are familiar – although we saw none this night. Unsurprising, as they tend to fly in April-May. So I’m guessing this huge caterpillar will soon pupate.

Chelepteryx chalepteryx (White-stemmed Acacia Moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Anthelidae
The soft body of this cricket must make it particularly vulnerable to predators and desiccation. A nocturnal lifestyle makes sense. This is a nymph. genus uncertain (raspy cricket)
ORTHOPTERA, Gryllacrididae
ORTHOPTERA, Gryllacrididae

The soft body of this cricket must make it particularly vulnerable to predators and desiccation. A nocturnal lifestyle makes sense. This is a nymph.

genus uncertain (raspy cricket)

ORTHOPTERA, Gryllacrididae
Another nymphal orthopteran. Pseudorhynchus mimeticus  (Mimicking Snout-Nose)
ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae
ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae

Another nymphal orthopteran.

Pseudorhynchus mimeticus (Mimicking Snout-Nose)

ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae
In this family, both sexes have branched antennae. The clue that this is a female is the tuft of orange scales at the tip of the abdomen. These are deposited when she lays her eggs, providing a degree of protection and support for the egg mass. Ac
LEPIDOPTERA, Erebidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Erebidae

In this family, both sexes have branched antennae. The clue that this is a female is the tuft of orange scales at the tip of the abdomen. These are deposited when she lays her eggs, providing a degree of protection and support for the egg mass.

Acyphas chionitis (tussock moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Erebidae
One of several large species of frogs out and about this night. This species lives under rocks or logs close to permanent water. Predictably, this one was alongside our small frog pond. Limnodynastes peronii (Striped Marsh Frog)
ANURA, Limnodynastidae
ANURA, Limnodynastidae

One of several large species of frogs out and about this night. This species lives under rocks or logs close to permanent water. Predictably, this one was alongside our small frog pond.

Limnodynastes peronii (Striped Marsh Frog)

ANURA, Limnodynastidae
In contrast to the Striped Marsh Frog, this species spends much of its adult life well away from water … including in tall trees. They come to water to breed. This male was calling loudly from a log in the frog pond. Pengilleyia peronii (Peron’s
ANURA, Pelodryadidae
ANURA, Pelodryadidae

In contrast to the Striped Marsh Frog, this species spends much of its adult life well away from water … including in tall trees. They come to water to breed. This male was calling loudly from a log in the frog pond.

Pengilleyia peronii (Peron’s Tree Frog)

ANURA, Pelodryadidae

In addition to prowling the forest tracks for half the night, we were regularly checking a light sheet. It is a standard method for moth surveying, and we periodically sample nocturnal insect activity this way. Our current home list for moths stands at 675 species – and it’s unlikely to stand for long. With each new moth sheet we typically add four or five new species! This night was no exception. We recorded at least 39 moth species, including three novel ones … and we weren’t being particularly rigorous, ignoring many of the tiny moths.

Featured
A massive moth – and a new one for our home list. Endoxyla cinereus (Giant Wood Moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae

A massive moth – and a new one for our home list.

Endoxyla cinereus (Giant Wood Moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae
A giant indeed! According to the Australian Museum website, this species is the heaviest moth in the world, “ with some females weighing up to 30 grams ”. Record-breaker or not, this is an impressive insect. Endoxyla cinereus (Giant Wood Moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae

A giant indeed! According to the Australian Museum website, this species is the heaviest moth in the world, “with some females weighing up to 30 grams”. Record-breaker or not, this is an impressive insect.

Endoxyla cinereus (Giant Wood Moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae
The feathery antennae are a sex marker in this species. So this one is a male. I look forward to seeing the even larger female sometime. Endoxyla cinereus (Giant Wood Moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae

The feathery antennae are a sex marker in this species. So this one is a male. I look forward to seeing the even larger female sometime.

Endoxyla cinereus (Giant Wood Moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae
Despite the name, these moths are not so commonly seen as adults. We do see evidence of the larvae throughout the forest, with their characteristic sac-like retreats on the trunks of young Acacia . This is only our second sighting of an adult … and
LEPIDOPTERA, Hepialidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Hepialidae

Despite the name, these moths are not so commonly seen as adults. We do see evidence of the larvae throughout the forest, with their characteristic sac-like retreats on the trunks of young Acacia. This is only our second sighting of an adult … and our first was just three weeks ago. Males are even more colourful, being almost entirely bright green. However, they rarely come to lights. We hope to spot one soon, when prowling the forest trails by torchlight.

Aenetus ligniveren (Common Splendid Ghost Moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Hepialidae
A second Aenetus female on the same night! We thought this momentous enough … until we later realised that it was actually a different species of this beautiful genus. Again, a female. This was an especially exciting (and surprising) find. There
LEPIDOPTERA, Hepialidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Hepialidae

A second Aenetus female on the same night! We thought this momentous enough … until we later realised that it was actually a different species of this beautiful genus. Again, a female. This was an especially exciting (and surprising) find. There are fewer than 50 sightings on iNaturalist, and none anywhere nearly so far south. Needless to say, another first for the home list.

Aenetus lewinii (Lewin’s Splendid Ghost Moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Hepialidae
One more for the list. And yet another species not commonly seen, even though its range includes the Melbourne area … which is something of a hotspot for moth watchers. Myrascia bracteatella (concealer moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Oechophoridae
LEPIDOPTERA, Oechophoridae

One more for the list. And yet another species not commonly seen, even though its range includes the Melbourne area … which is something of a hotspot for moth watchers.

Myrascia bracteatella (concealer moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Oechophoridae
A rather stunning moth and yet another new one for home … although it is a widespread and rather common species. Aglaopus pyrrhata (picture-winged moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Thyrididae
LEPIDOPTERA, Thyrididae

A rather stunning moth and yet another new one for home … although it is a widespread and rather common species.

Aglaopus pyrrhata (picture-winged moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Thyrididae
This is also the first member of this family we have recorded here. Aglaopus pyrrhata (picture-winged moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Thyrididae
LEPIDOPTERA, Thyrididae

This is also the first member of this family we have recorded here.

Aglaopus pyrrhata (picture-winged moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Thyrididae
Another regular. And another for which we are near the southern limit of its range. Aglaosoma variegata (Patterned Notodontid)
LEPIDOPTERA, Notodontidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Notodontidae

Another regular. And another for which we are near the southern limit of its range.

Aglaosoma variegata (Patterned Notodontid)

LEPIDOPTERA, Notodontidae
The warm night air was also filled with swarming ants. Here a large female has drawn several smaller males. Camponotus (sugar ants)
HYMENOPTERA, Formicidae
HYMENOPTERA, Formicidae

The warm night air was also filled with swarming ants. Here a large female has drawn several smaller males.

Camponotus (sugar ants)

HYMENOPTERA, Formicidae
Not entirely new for us, but only our second ever sighting. Sympycnodes rhaptodes (leopard moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae
LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae

Not entirely new for us, but only our second ever sighting.

Sympycnodes rhaptodes (leopard moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Cossidae
Lacewings are usually represented at a light sheet. Myrmeleon acer (Common Brown Antlion)
NEUROPTERA, Myrmeleontidae
NEUROPTERA, Myrmeleontidae

Lacewings are usually represented at a light sheet.

Myrmeleon acer (Common Brown Antlion)

NEUROPTERA, Myrmeleontidae
Katydids too are attracted to light. Polichne spinulosa (katydid)
ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae
ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae

Katydids too are attracted to light.

Polichne spinulosa (katydid)

ORTHOPTERA, Tettigoniidae
These large, ferocious-looking beetles were about in numbers. They are regular attendees at January light sheets. Cnemoplites australis (longhorn beetle)
COLEOPTERA, Cerambycidae
COLEOPTERA, Cerambycidae

These large, ferocious-looking beetles were about in numbers. They are regular attendees at January light sheets.

Cnemoplites australis (longhorn beetle)

COLEOPTERA, Cerambycidae
Another summer regular, and a close relative of the iconic ‘Christmas beetle’ (genus Anoplognathus). These relatively large beetles feed both as larvae and as adults: the larvae on decaying wood, compost or roots; the adults on leaves and flowers.
COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae
COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Another summer regular, and a close relative of the iconic ‘Christmas beetle’ (genus Anoplognathus). These relatively large beetles feed both as larvae and as adults: the larvae on decaying wood, compost or roots; the adults on leaves and flowers.

Schizognathus burmeisteri (shining leaf chafer)

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae
Not on the sheet, but on the post alongside. I suspect the orientation is deliberate, enhancing the camouflage effect. Ectropis fractaria (Ringed Bark Moth)
LEPIDOPTERA, Geometridae
LEPIDOPTERA, Geometridae

Not on the sheet, but on the post alongside. I suspect the orientation is deliberate, enhancing the camouflage effect.

Ectropis fractaria (Ringed Bark Moth)

LEPIDOPTERA, Geometridae
Yet another beetle drawn to the bright light. Phyllotocus bimaculatus (nectar scarab)
COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae
COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Yet another beetle drawn to the bright light.

Phyllotocus bimaculatus (nectar scarab)

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae
Crane flies are another common sight around the forest, day and night. Leptotarsus clavatus (large crane fly)
DIPTERA, Tipulidae
DIPTERA, Tipulidae

Crane flies are another common sight around the forest, day and night.

Leptotarsus clavatus (large crane fly)

DIPTERA, Tipulidae
The activity around the light also attracts the opportunists. The leopard moth succumbed to the depradations of a large bull ant. Myrmecia (bull ant)
HYMENOPTERA, Formicidae
HYMENOPTERA, Formicidae

The activity around the light also attracts the opportunists. The leopard moth succumbed to the depradations of a large bull ant.

Myrmecia (bull ant)

HYMENOPTERA, Formicidae
Another hunter taking advantage of the action, this one searching the ground beneath the light. Cormocephalus westwoodi  (Westwood's Green Centipede)
CHILOPODA, SCOLOPENDROMORPHA, Scolopendidae
CHILOPODA, SCOLOPENDROMORPHA, Scolopendidae

Another hunter taking advantage of the action, this one searching the ground beneath the light.

Cormocephalus westwoodi (Westwood's Green Centipede)

CHILOPODA, SCOLOPENDROMORPHA, Scolopendidae

While the frogs were still about this night, the chorus was nothing compared to the cacophony of last week. After 270mm of rain in just two days, they were very excited!

Frog pond sounds (last week, after heavy rain)