Rain Moth Bardy Trictena atripalpis
The Rain Moth, Bardy or Waikerie, Trictena atripalpis, is a moth of the Hepialidae family. It is found in the southern half of Australia. This example has subtle differences in wing markings, and may be a different Trictena species.
Fishermen use "Bardee", "Bardi", "Badee", or "Bargi grub" as bait, and use these names for various ground dwelling and wood boring moth larvae including the caterpillar form of this Moth. The other common name, Rain Moth, stems from the fact that adults often emerge after rain, typically in autumn.The examples shown here are a few of the dozens that appeared one night. They all rested on the walls near lights, and they didn't seemed disturbed by being picked up, inspected and replaced.
The wingspan is about 120 mm for males and 160 mm for females. The adult females deposit carry a great number of eggs. A dissected female carried over 40,000.
The larvae feed on Casuarina and Eucalyptus species, and are well known along the Murray River where they feed on River Red Gum, Eucalyptus camaldulen
Info based on: http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/hepi/atripal.html
Click on any image below to download a high resolution picture (T.Hastings 26/5/2010).
Fishermen use "Bardee", "Bardi", "Badee", or "Bargi grub" as bait, and use these names for various ground dwelling and wood boring moth larvae including the caterpillar form of this Moth. The other common name, Rain Moth, stems from the fact that adults often emerge after rain, typically in autumn.The examples shown here are a few of the dozens that appeared one night. They all rested on the walls near lights, and they didn't seemed disturbed by being picked up, inspected and replaced.
The wingspan is about 120 mm for males and 160 mm for females. The adult females deposit carry a great number of eggs. A dissected female carried over 40,000.
The larvae feed on Casuarina and Eucalyptus species, and are well known along the Murray River where they feed on River Red Gum, Eucalyptus camaldulen
Info based on: http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/hepi/atripal.html
Click on any image below to download a high resolution picture (T.Hastings 26/5/2010).
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