Insect sightings


A guide to Australian insect families (from CSIRO) can be found at:
http://anic.ento.csiro.au/insectfamilies/

Daley, A. & Ellingsen, K., 2012. Insects of Tasmania: An online field guide

A useful introduction to Insects, visit:
http://australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/documents/9362/invertebrate_guide.pdf

A diagram of Insect morphology illustrating terminology with legend of body parts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_morphology#/media/File:Insect_anatomy_diagram.svg

A diagram of an insect illustrating terminology based on a worker ant, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaster_(insect_anatomy)#/media/File:Scheme_ant_worker_anatomy-en.svg

Photographing insects

There are two main ways to photograph insects with a camera: using a macro close-up lens or a zoom lens. If the insect tolerates your getting very close, then you can use the macro lens. For example, some moths will remain quite still when approached, believing they are camouflaged and invisible. However, many insects, especially those that can fly, will move away when you approach. This is especially true for insects like butterflies and dragonflies. So a good zoom lens is very useful for photographing many insects. If you are using a smartphone, then use a macro lens or a macro attachment. E.g. OlloClip for iPhone. If you want to have an insect identified to species then clear photographs are usually needed because minute parts of the anatomy may need to be checked. It is valuable to take several photos from various angles so that these anatomical details can be seen. Many insects are have particular plants that they feed on, and they can be identified more easily when the associated plant is known. So if the insect is resting or feeding on a plant, take note of what the plant is or ensure that a photo shows the plant clearly.



Page 1 of 2 - image sightings only

Megachile aurifrons at Mudgee, NSW - 27 Jan 2025 by BettinaFranklin
Grammodes justa at Bogan Gate, NSW - 21 Jan 2025 by Wolfdogg
Larinus latus at Kandos, NSW - 20 Jan 2025 by aussiejai
Ecnolagria sp. (genus) (A brown darkling beetle) at Kandos, NSW - 17 Jan 2025 by aussiejai
Pyrrhocoridae (family) at Kandos, NSW - 16 Jan 2025 by aussiejai
Unidentified Weevil (Curculionoidea) at Cowra, NSW - 15 Jan 2025 by Whiteyjw
Apis mellifera at Kandos, NSW - 5 Jan 2025 by aussiejai
Temognatha vitticollis at Cowra, NSW - 4 Jan 2025 by Whiteyjw
Psaltoda plaga (Black Prince Cicada) at Kandos, NSW - 4 Jan 2025 by aussiejai
Achyra massalis at Murga, NSW - 1 Jan 2025 by Paul4K
Faveria tritalis at Murga, NSW - 1 Jan 2025 by Paul4K
Herpetogramma licarsisalis at Murga, NSW - 1 Jan 2025 by Paul4K
Unidentified Wasp (Hymenoptera, Apocrita) at Murga, NSW - 1 Jan 2025 by Paul4K
Unidentified Stick insect (Phasmatodea) at Kandos, NSW - 30 Dec 2024 by aussiejai
Macrotona securiformis (Inland Macrotona) at Murga, NSW - 30 Dec 2024 by Paul4K
Acrida conica (Giant green slantface) at Murga, NSW - 30 Dec 2024 by Paul4K
Zizina otis at Murga, NSW - 30 Dec 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Robber fly (Asilidae) at Kandos, NSW - 27 Dec 2024 by aussiejai
Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer) at Kandos, NSW - 25 Dec 2024 by aussiejai
Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Kandos, NSW - 14 Dec 2024 by aussiejai
Agrianome spinicollis (Poinciana longicorn) at Kandos, NSW - 14 Dec 2024 by aussiejai
Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth) at Kandos, NSW - 2 Dec 2024 by aussiejai
Phyllotocus macleayi (Nectar scarab) at Abercrombie, NSW - 26 Nov 2024 by SarahEJ
Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Murga, NSW - 23 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Euhesma sp. (genus) at Glen Davis, NSW - 23 Nov 2024 by SapphFire
Euhesma sp. (genus) at Glen Davis, NSW - 23 Nov 2024 by SapphFire
Euhesma sp. (genus) at Glen Davis, NSW - 23 Nov 2024 by SapphFire
Unidentified Parasitic wasp (numerous families) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Pterostichini (tribe) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Leptocneria reducta at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Flower wasp (Scoliidae or Tiphiidae) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Flower wasp (Scoliidae or Tiphiidae) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Eupoecila australasiae (Fiddler Beetle) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Flower wasp (Scoliidae or Tiphiidae) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Flower wasp (Scoliidae or Tiphiidae) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Thyreus caeruleopunctatus at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Blue or Copper (Lycaenidae) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Eumeninae (subfamily) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Austroscolia soror at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Flower wasp (Scoliidae or Tiphiidae) at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Delta bicinctum at Murga, NSW - 22 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Mordella sp. (genus) at Murga, NSW - 21 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Murga, NSW - 21 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Amenia sp. (genus) (Yellow-headed Blowfly) at Murga, NSW - 21 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Murga, NSW - 21 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Neorrhina punctatum (Spotted flower chafer) at Murga, NSW - 21 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Phyllotocus sp. (genus) (Nectar scarab) at Murga, NSW - 21 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Selagis sp. (genus) (Jewel Beetle) at Murga, NSW - 21 Nov 2024 by Paul4K
Myrmecia piliventris (Golden tail bull ant) at Hartley, NSW - 6 Nov 2024 by SimonDunstan
Unidentified Stick insect (Phasmatodea) at Hartley, NSW - 6 Nov 2024 by SimonDunstan
Unidentified Grasshopper, Cricket or Katydid (Orthoptera) at Hartley, NSW - 6 Nov 2024 by SimonDunstan
Pieris rapae (Cabbage White) at Neurea, NSW - 22 Oct 2024 by Darcy
Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Warrumbungle, NSW - 21 Oct 2024 by DavidDedenczuk
Vanessa itea (Yellow Admiral) at Warrumbungle, NSW - 20 Oct 2024 by DavidDedenczuk
Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Warrumbungle, NSW - 20 Oct 2024 by DavidDedenczuk
Amenia imperialis (Yellow-headed blowfly) at Warrumbungle, NSW - 20 Oct 2024 by DavidDedenczuk
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Warrumbungle, NSW - 20 Oct 2024 by DavidDedenczuk
Helicoverpa (genus) at Mitchell, NSW - 19 Oct 2024 by DavidDedenczuk
Trigonodes hyppasia at Bogan Gate, NSW - 10 Oct 2024 by Wolfdogg
Agonoscelis rutila (Horehound bug) at Tarana, NSW - 7 Oct 2024 by MelissaSelbyBrown
Netelia sp. (genus) at Gingkin, NSW - 3 Oct 2024 by Raelz
Apis mellifera (European honey bee) at Bumbaldry, NSW - 3 Oct 2024 by RobG1
Eleale aspera (Clerid beetle) at Bumbaldry, NSW - 3 Oct 2024 by RobG1
Paropsisterna cloelia (Eucalyptus variegated beetle) at Bumbaldry, NSW - 3 Oct 2024 by RobG1
Lemidia sp. (genus) at Cowra, NSW - 27 Sep 2024 by RobG1
Paropsis variolosa (Variolosa leaf beetle) at Cowra, NSW - 27 Sep 2024 by RobG1
Philobota arabella (Concealer moth) at Bumbaldry, NSW - 27 Sep 2024 by RobG1
Keyacris sp. (genus) (Matchstick grasshopper) at Cowra, NSW - 19 Sep 2024 by AnneG1
Delias aganippe (Spotted Jezebel) at Nyngan, NSW - 15 Sep 2024 by Christine
Iridomyrmex purpureus (Meat Ant) at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Utetheisa pulchelloides at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Goniaea australasiae (Gumleaf grasshopper) at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Doleromyrma sp. (genus) (Brown house ant) at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Camponotus nigriceps (Black-headed sugar ant) at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Wasp (Hymenoptera, Apocrita) at Paling Yards, NSW - 7 Sep 2024 by trevorpreston
Crambidae sp. (family) at Parkes, NSW - 3 Sep 2024 by Csteele4
Papilio demoleus (Chequered Swallowtail) at Parkes, NSW - 3 Sep 2024 by Csteele4
Chalcopteroides sp. (genus) at Parkes, NSW - 3 Sep 2024 by Csteele4
Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher) at Bumbaldry, NSW - 30 Aug 2024 by AnneG1
Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth, Common Cutworm) at Bumbaldry, NSW - 30 Aug 2024 by RobG1
Archimantis (genus) (A praying mantis) at Cowra, NSW - 30 Aug 2024 by AnneG1
Unidentified True bug (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) at Cowra, NSW - 29 Aug 2024 by RobG1
Keyacris sp. (genus) (Matchstick grasshopper) at Cowra, NSW - 29 Aug 2024 by AnneG1
Sciaridae sp. (family) (Black fungus gnat) at Cowra, NSW - 29 Aug 2024 by RobG1
Keyacris sp. (genus) (Matchstick grasshopper) at Cowra, NSW - 29 Aug 2024 by AnneG1
Dindymus versicolor (Harlequin Bug) at Cowra, NSW - 19 Aug 2024 by PaperbarkNativeBees
Pieris rapae (Cabbage White) at Wollemi National Park - 19 May 2024 by RobParnell
Halictidae (family) at Dubbo, NSW - 27 Apr 2024 by PaperbarkNativeBees
Thyreus caeruleopunctatus at Grenfell, NSW - 20 Apr 2024 by FrogWatchers2000
Polistes (Polistes) chinensis (Asian paper wasp) at Oberon, NSW - 16 Apr 2024 by MatthewFrawley
Psalidostetha banksiae (Banksia Moth) at Wollemi National Park - 2 Mar 2024 by poppyde
Chrysolopus spectabilis (Botany Bay Weevil) at Springside, NSW - 24 Feb 2024 by Jbro
Charaxes sempronius (Tailed Emperor) at Murga, NSW - 15 Feb 2024 by Paul4K
Rhytidoponera sp. (genus) (Rhytidoponera ant) at Nangar National Park - 14 Feb 2024 by Paul4K
Utetheisa (genus) at Murga, NSW - 14 Feb 2024 by Paul4K

1  2 

1,909,699 sightings of 21,437 species from 13,249 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.