Tetragonula carbonaria. These tiny black bees are one of the very few species of native bees to form true colonies … and the only one found in NSW.

Tetragonula carbonaria. The hive will be hidden away inside the hollow of a tree branch or trunk, perhaps 10 metres or more above ground.

Myrmecia nigrocincta … a small, day-active bulldog ant that typically forages among the foliage of shrubs and trees, and can leap up to 10cm between leaves! This one is carrying prey back to the colony, which may include around 1000 individuals within an underground nest.

Primeuchroeus. This female was hanging about watching the nesting activities of other wasps. Her aim? To sneak in, lay an egg, and leave. Her larva would then eat the host’s egg and then its stash of food … cuckoo-style!

This rather pretty little fly is blowing bubbles. Not only does this concentrate its liquid meal, but it can also help to cool the insect in hot weather.

Ellipsidion australe … a day-active species that is commonly seen sunning itself on leaves. This one is an adult.

Ellipsidion australe. This nymph has yet to develop wings but otherwise it behaves like the adult, active in the day on vegetation.

Aporocera … the larva feed in the leaf litter, on dead leaves and twigs. Adult beetles in this family eat the leaves and flowers of eucalypts and wattles.

Tiny, shining flies in this family are a common sight on low, moist foliage. The adults hunt small, soft-bodied prey such as springtails and worms. The larvae are also predators, feeding in the soil or under bark.

Austrosciapus … another of these tiny predators.

Five pretty bugs which had apparently just hatched … note the five empty eggs alongside.

Lampromicra. Both adults and nymphs feed on plant juices, but are not considered a significant garden or crop pest.

Graphium choredon. A rainforest species that rarely lands except when feeding on nectar from flowers, drinking water from pools … or laying eggs, as this one is doing.

Pairs like this are a common sight in Summer, as winged males carry flightless females on protracted mating and feeding flights.

These large flies are well-known and widely disliked due to their habit of pestering humans for a blood meal. Interestingly, insect repellants have limited effect as march flies hunt by sight, not smell.

Melanitis leda. A very tatty individual, perhaps many weeks old and a near-miss victim of hunting birds. They tend to fly at dawn and dusk … hence the common name.

Austrolestes leda … this one a female. A widespread species of eastern Australia.

Eurema hecabe. A wet-season migrant from the far north of Australia.

Catopsilia pomona. An occasional visitor, although sometimes in very large numbers.

Delias argenthona … usually seen flying high in the canopy. Larvae feed on mistletoe.

Subasteron daviesae … a predator of ants, this species inhabits forest margins, including rainforests.

Haploscapanes … a truly massive beetle, 36mm long, and with an incredibly strong grip!

Repsimus aenus … glorious colour, and with very long back legs

Repsimus aenus … a rather special sighting.

Oricopis umbrosus … at least, I think it is. Beetles in this family can be a challenge to identify.

Phoracantha punctata … the larvae of most Phoracantha feed on dead or dying eucalypts.

Myriochila semicincta … a ferocious predator, this one usually found on tree trunks near flowing creeks.

Tamasa tristigma … a species most common in coastal regions between Sydney and Brisbane

Rhyothemis phyllis, living up to its name in constant, fluttering flight. It was a rare treat to spot one perching after rain.

Psychonotis caelius. One of several small blue species rarely landing but filling the air with colour.

Catopyrops florinda, not an uncommon species but one with particular habitat preferences … including rainforest edges.

Pristhesancus plagipennis, a predator of various insects … including stink bugs.

Euploea core … widespread throughout Asia and northern Australia, this species is protected from predators. It is quite inedible due to the chemicals extracted from food during the caterpillar stage.

Despite its striking appearance, I’ve yet to come up with an identification. It probably builds a mud nest, but just where and what shape I can only guess.

Anoplognathus porosus, an attractive beetle that typically emerges from the soil in late December in eastern Australia. It is a familiar sight in our southern forest too.

This large beetle was one of many beetles attracted to the light sheet.

Cacostomus squamosus … this rather large, day-active beetle is well camouflaged against this rough-barked tree. Larvae feed on decaying eucalyptus wood.

Rhadinosomus lacordairei … very small and elongated. As with many beetles, mating can be quite protracted as the male monopolises the larger female.

Riekoleon furcatus

Myrmeleon acer

Nymphes myrmeleonoides

Theristria stigma

Glenoleon pulchellus

Bandidus

Torbia viridissima

Ephippitytha trigintiduoguttata

Psednura

Epallia exigua

Methiolopsis geniculata

Adlappa erythroptera

Teleogryllus commodus

Anchiale austrotessulata

Anchiale austrotessulata

Myrmecia

Arkys lancearius

Dolophones

Cryptolaemus

Orthetrum villosovittatum

Leptophion

Maratus scutulatus. Another widespread species. We’ve often seen it at home.

Orthodera ministralis. This is Australia’s most common and widespread mantis, found in a wide variety of habitats. Including lightsheets!

Circopetes obtusata. A distinctive and familiar moth to us, often seen in our southern forest. It is found all around the east coast.