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 1 - image sightings only

Archimantis (genus) (A praying mantis) at Morpeth, NSW - 28 Jan 2025 by HildaHen
Metaxymorpha grayii (A Jewel Beetle) at Elands, NSW - 20 Jan 2025 by Jek
Unidentified Butterfly (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) at Dingo Forest, NSW - 20 Jan 2025 by Jek
Acantholena siccella at Charlestown, NSW - 13 Jan 2025 by ConBoekel
Papilio aegeus (Orchard Swallowtail, Large Citrus Butterfly) at Pampoolah, NSW - 7 Jan 2025 by acorn1
Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Charlestown, NSW - 6 Jan 2025 by Eduvete
Unidentified Potter wasp (Vespidae, Eumeninae) at Ashtonfield, NSW - 31 Dec 2024 by GemGem
Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Charlestown, NSW - 30 Dec 2024 by Eduvete
Unidentified Wasp (Hymenoptera, Apocrita) at Rainbow Flat, NSW - 27 Dec 2024 by KMcCue
Papilio aegeus (Orchard Swallowtail, Large Citrus Butterfly) at Merewether, NSW - 25 Dec 2024 by TheKewpie
Unidentified Darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) at Nulkaba, NSW - 22 Dec 2024 by trevorpreston
Technomyrmex sp. (genus) at Nulkaba, NSW - 22 Dec 2024 by trevorpreston
Polyrhachis ammon (Golden-spined Ant, Golden Ant) at Nulkaba, NSW - 22 Dec 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Weevil (Curculionoidea) at Nulkaba, NSW - 22 Dec 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Weevil (Curculionoidea) at Nulkaba, NSW - 22 Dec 2024 by trevorpreston
Camponotus sp. (genus) (A sugar ant) at Nulkaba, NSW - 22 Dec 2024 by trevorpreston
Paropsisterna beata (Blessed Leaf Beetle) at Nulkaba, NSW - 22 Dec 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Robber fly (Asilidae) at Nulkaba, NSW - 22 Dec 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Weevil (Curculionoidea) at Nulkaba, NSW - 22 Dec 2024 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Click beetle (Elateridae) at Cessnock, NSW - 8 Dec 2024 by jevongmany
Colepia malleola at Kurri Kurri, NSW - 8 Dec 2024 by shadowfeet
Anoplognathus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Christmas beetle) at Kurri Kurri, NSW - 2 Dec 2024 by shadowfeet
Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Singleton Heights, NSW - 30 Nov 2024 by SimonPDunstan
Eupoecila australasiae (Fiddler Beetle) at Forster, NSW - 26 Nov 2024 by PaperbarkNativeBees
Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Mayfield, NSW - 21 Oct 2024 by STJ
Sarcophagidae (family) (Unidentified flesh fly) at Mayfield, NSW - 7 Oct 2024 by STJ
Unidentified Bee (Hymenoptera, Apiformes) at Teralba, NSW - 31 Aug 2024 by LyndalT
Unidentified Bee (Hymenoptera, Apiformes) at Teralba, NSW - 31 Aug 2024 by LyndalT
Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Teralba, NSW - 31 Aug 2024 by LyndalT
Flatidae (family) at Cardiff, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Syrphini sp. (tribe) at Cardiff, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Metura elongatus at Speers Point, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Hippodamia variegata (Spotted Amber Ladybird) at Speers Point, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Tetragonula carbonaria at Teralba, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Ledromorpha planirostris at Coal Point, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Cardiff, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Coelophora inaequalis (Variable Ladybird beetle) at Cardiff, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Cicadellidae (family) at Cardiff, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Hemiptera (order) at Cardiff, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Coleoptera (order) at Cardiff, NSW - 28 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Anestia (genus) (A tiger moth) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Pygophora sp. (genus) (A muscid fly) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Muscoidea (super family) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Diptera (order) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Ephydridae sp. (family) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Lepidoscia lainodes at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Lepidoscia lainodes at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Pygophora sp. (genus) (A muscid fly) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Amblypelta nitida (Fruit-spotting bug) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Pygophora apicalis at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Cicadellidae (family) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Psyllidae sp. (family) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Cicadellidae (family) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Cicadellidae (family) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Tectocoris diophthalmus (Cotton harlequin bug) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Helina sp (genus) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Ceroplastes rubens at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Paropsides calypso at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Limoniidae (family) (Unknown Limoniid Crane Fly) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Lepidoscia lainodes at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Blattodea (order) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Curculionidae (family) at Cardiff, NSW - 27 Jul 2024 by Hejor1
Hemicordulia australiae (Australian Emerald) at Salamander Bay, NSW - 1 Apr 2024 by MichaelWenke
Danaus petilia (Lesser wanderer) at Invergordon, NSW - 24 Feb 2024 by Csteele4
Primeuchroeus sp. (genus) at Mayfield, NSW - 17 Feb 2024 by JamesLidseyBCT
Pterohelaeus planus at Raworth, NSW - 21 Jan 2024 by StaceJenko
Unidentified Wasp (Hymenoptera, Apocrita) at Allynbrook, NSW - 14 Jan 2024 by Pk13342
Unidentified Insect at Allynbrook, NSW - 9 Jan 2024 by Pk13342
Chrysididae (family) at Louth Park, NSW - 29 Dec 2023 by hyperchlorinated
Asilidae (family) at Barrington Tops National Park - 19 Dec 2023 by Tapirlord
Unidentified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Moonan Brook, NSW - 18 Dec 2023 by Tapirlord
Unidentified Geometer moth (Geometridae) at Coolongolook, NSW - 17 Dec 2023 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Coolongolook, NSW - 17 Dec 2023 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Coolongolook, NSW - 17 Dec 2023 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Coolongolook, NSW - 17 Dec 2023 by trevorpreston
Myrmecia nigrocincta (Jumper ant, jumping jack) at Myall Lakes National Park - 16 Dec 2023 by NedJohnston
Unidentified Noctuoid moth (except Arctiinae) at Coolongolook, NSW - 16 Dec 2023 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Concealer moth (Oecophoridae) at Coolongolook, NSW - 16 Dec 2023 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Geometer moth (Geometridae) at Coolongolook, NSW - 16 Dec 2023 by trevorpreston
Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Coolongolook, NSW - 16 Dec 2023 by trevorpreston
Pachyprosopis species at Bulahdelah, NSW - 3 Dec 2023 by FumblebeeFae
Amenia imperialis at Hamilton, NSW - 27 Nov 2023 by Klinka
Anoplognathus olivieri (A christmas beetle) at Tea Gardens, NSW - 11 Nov 2023 by jennywren
Unidentified Moth (Lepidoptera) at Carey Bay, NSW - 20 Sep 2023 by kayleewinter
Acanthosomatidae (family) at Hillville, NSW - 26 Jul 2023 by Greg007
Diplonychus eques at Moorland, NSW - 29 Dec 2022 by trevorpreston
Halictidae (family) at Forster, NSW - 27 Nov 2022 by PaperbarkNativeBees
Belenois java (Caper White) at Hawks Nest, NSW - 18 Sep 2022 by GlossyGal
Triclista guttata (March or Horse Fly) at Bulahdelah, NSW - 16 Feb 2022 by bthamrin
Choerocoris paganus (Ground shield bug) at Shoal Bay, NSW - 13 Dec 2021 by LyndalT
Exoneura sp. at Shoal Bay, NSW - 13 Dec 2021 by LyndalT
Aridaeus thoracicus (Tiger Longicorn Beetle) at Shoal Bay, NSW - 13 Dec 2021 by LyndalT
Lyramorpha rosea (Litchi stink bug) at Nelson Bay, NSW - 13 Dec 2021 by LyndalT
Orthetrum villosovittatum (Fiery Skimmer) at Salamander Bay, NSW - 10 Dec 2021 by LyndalT
Chironomidae (family) (Non-biting Midge) at Coal Point, NSW - 19 Oct 2021 by chris@deere.net.au
Ellipsidion humerale (Common Ellipsidion) at Wangi Wangi, NSW - 1 Oct 2018 by michaelb
1,909,624 sightings of 21,437 species from 13,247 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.