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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 6, 2020 7:41:12 GMT
With daily ongoing reports of devastating wildfires reported in Southeastern Australia I'm wondering what the future holds for 2 of our planets large moth species which occur in Newsouth Wales. The 2 species I refer to are the world's largest Hepialid moth species (Zelotypia stayci) which is quite rarely seen in collections (public or private); and the world's largest Cossid moth (Endoxyla cinereus) and related species. I believe the region of danger encompasses the limited zones these fabulous moths are found. Could it be possible they may be wiped out due to this natural disaster or will it perhaps be many long years before they might ever be seen once again in the wild? I know there is nothing that we as humans can really do about it given the grand scale of the disaster but, I would certainly like to entertain anyone's prevailing thoughts on this topic --- especially any members from Australia !
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 6, 2020 9:26:57 GMT
For those members who are unfamiliar with the 2 species mentioned I provide pictures for your viewing pleasure. The first photograph is of a (male) specimen of the Bent-wing Ghost Moth (Zelotypia stayci). To the best of my knowledge, it is known from 2 rather localized regions in New South Wales Australia. If memory serves, I believe its larvae feed within the trunk of a "specific" species of Eucalyptus tree. This is the largest species of Hepialid (Swift) moth known. Females typically measure 10 to 10.5 inches (tip to tip). Males are right around 9 inches... Rarely seen in most private collections and seldom offered for sale. The photograph below is of a (female) specimen of the Giant Wood Moth (Endoxyla cinereus). I believe this is the largest species of its small genus.Females wingspans typically measure between 9 and 10 inches (tip to tip). Males are quite a bit smaller. This species and others of its genus also live as larvae within the trunks of Eucalyptus species (though not as specific as those of Zelotypia) so I have read... This also happens to be the "heaviest" species of moth in the world ! Rarely seen in most private collections... For those hobbyists with a flair for Historic specimens here are 2 of them...Both of these photographs show personal specimens from the Hermann Strecker collection. They were taken by me during my 6 year tenure as a Technical Assistant (Division of Insects) at Field Museum (Chicago). Mr. Strecker's collection of nearly 50 thousand specimens was indeed a wonder to behold and I admired it many times whilst there taking many pictures along the way!
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 7, 2020 8:04:36 GMT
I hope the very localised Delias aestiva is not at risk too...
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 7, 2020 8:55:52 GMT
Would you have any specimens of D. aestiva that you could show us?
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 7, 2020 9:21:44 GMT
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