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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

… 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.

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.