Commonly known as the White-spotted Owl-Moth (Donuca spectabilis), is a member of the family Noctuidae and is found across most of mainland Australia.
The forewings of the adult moth of this species have an interesting range of brown and white patterns, although some are dark-brown, grey to black in colour. The hindwings are also similar, but with less patterns. The abdomen has orange segments to the tip. The forelegs have red hairs on the femurs.
The White-spotted Owl-Moth pictured on this page was recovered from a swimming pool in a garden. Whilst it first appeared to be deceased, it then recovered and was able to stand on its legs.
On closer inspection of the moth, we noticed one of its forewings was missing.
Many thanks to Bjørn M Fjellstad from Butterflies, Moths and other Invertebrates of Australia, Facebook group for assistance with identifying this species.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Noctuidae
- Genus: Donuca
- Species: D. spectabilis
- Binomial name: Donuca spectabilis
- Synonyms:
- Eucyclomma spectabilis
- Donuca memorabilis
- Serrodes xanthorrhoea
- Serrodes yorkensis
- Serrodes queenslandica
- Donuca spectabilica
- Donuca yorkensis
Footnote & References
- Butterflies, Moths and other Invertebrates of Australia, Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/170745013686340
- Donuca spectabilis, Coffs harbour Butterfly House, http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/cato/spectabilis.html
- White-spotted Owl Moth (Donuca spectabilis), Bushpea.com, http://www.bushpea.com/in/pg/all/w/white-spotted%20owl%20moth%2002.html
- Donuca spectabilis Walker, White-Spotted Owl Moth, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Donuca spectabilis
- Donuca spectabilis, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donuca_spectabilis (last visited Jan. 8, 2022)
MothsMoths Index Aedia arctipennis Agape chloropyga Agrius convolvuli (Convolvulus Hawk Moth) Agrotis munda Anthela guenei (Four-Spot Anthelid Moth) Ardices curvata (Crimson Tiger Moth) Austrocaligula engaea (Mistletoe Emperor Moth) Calicotis crucifera Case Moths (Variety of Cocoons) Coenotes eremophilae Comocrus behri (Mistletoe Moth) Cosmodes elegans (Green-blotched Moth) Diatenes gerula Donuca spectabilis (White-spotted Owl-Moth) Endoxyla cinereus (Carpenter Moth) Eudesmeola lawsoni Four-spotted Cup Moth (Doratifera quadriguttata) Hippotion celerio (Vine Hawk Moth) Hyles livornicoides (Australian Striped Hawk Moth) Ischnurges illustralis Leaf Case Moth Metura elongatus (Saunders’ Case Moth) Ochrogaster lunifer (Bag-shelter Moth) Opodiphthera eucalypti (Emperor Gum Moth) Pararguda rufescens Plume Moth Pollanisus viridipulverulenta (Satin-green Forester) Ribbed Case Moth Sameodes cancellalis Spodoptera litura Trigonodes hyppasia Utetheisa (Rattlepod Moth)
