Insects

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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.

Insects

Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Bees (Hymenoptera, Apiformes)

Beetles (Coleoptera)

Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera)

Cicadas (Hemiptera, Cicadoidea)

Cockroaches (Blattodea, several families)

Dragonflies & Damselflies (Odonata)

Grasshoppers, Crickets & Katydids (Orthoptera)

Leafhoppers & planthoppers (Hemiptera, several families)

Moths (Lepidoptera)

Praying mantises (Mantodea)

Primitive insects

Psyllids, lerps, aphids & whiteflies (Hemiptera, several families)

Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

Scale insects & mealybugs (Hemiptera, Coccoidea)

Stick insects (Phasmatodea)

True bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera)

True flies (Diptera)

Wasps (Hymenoptera, Apocrita)

Other insects

Lacewings (Neuroptera)

Unidentified Insect Galls

Unidentified Insect Leaf Miners

Featured sightings

Tropis roei (Roe's longhorn beetle) at Ainslie, ACT - 16 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Perunga ochracea (Perunga grasshopper, Cross-dressing Grasshopper) at Hume, ACT - 14 Nov 2025 by SteveBorkowskis

Scolioplecta comptana at Pebbly Beach, NSW - 10 Nov 2025 by Pirom

Keyacris scurra (Key's Matchstick Grasshopper) by Acacia

Ardozyga porphyroloma (A Gelechioid moth (Protolechia Group) at Jerrabomberra, NSW - 5 Nov 2024 by DianneClarke

Baiocystis chrysoides (A Concealer moth (Oecophorinae)) at Barren Grounds, NSW - 16 Oct 2025 by Pirom

Plectobela zanclotoma (A Concealer moth (Wingia group) at Bethungra, NSW - 7 Oct 2025 by ConBoekel

Perunga ochracea (Perunga grasshopper, Cross-dressing Grasshopper) at Denman Prospect, ACT - 6 Nov 2025 by Wolfdogg

Latest sightings

Heteronympha merope at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by HelenCross

Unverified Blue or Copper (Lycaenidae) at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by HelenCross

Vanessa kershawi at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by HelenCross

Perunga ochracea at Googong, NSW - 17 Nov 2025 by MilKeigh

Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by HelenCross

Castiarina sexplagiata (Jewel beetle) at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by HelenCross

Unverified True fly (Diptera) at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by HelenCross

Unverified Bee fly (Bombyliidae) at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by HelenCross

Unverified Insect at Crowther, NSW - Yesterday by Frecko

Formicidae (family) (Unidentified ant) at Watson, ACT - 14 Nov 2025 by HappyWanderer

Unverified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Watson, ACT - 14 Nov 2025 by HappyWanderer

Papyrius sp. (genus) (A Coconut Ant) at O'Malley, ACT - Yesterday by Mike

Unverified Curved-horn moth (all Gelechioidea except Oecophoridae) by DianneClarke

Capusa stenophara at West Hobart, TAS - Yesterday by VanessaC

Oenogenes fugalis (A Pyralid moth) at Yass River, NSW - Yesterday by SenexRugosus

Trigonospila sp. (genus) (A Bristle Fly) at Forde, ACT - 16 Nov 2025 by chriselidie

Chrysididae (family) at Strathnairn, ACT - Yesterday by TimL

Papyrius sp. (genus) (A Coconut Ant) at Strathnairn, ACT - Yesterday by TimL

Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua (A flower-feeding march fly) at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by JohnBundock

Unverified Other insect at Kungala, NSW - Yesterday by donnanchris

Unverified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Kungala, NSW - Yesterday by donnanchris

Unverified True bug (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) at Lyons, ACT - Yesterday by ran452

Agrianome spinicollis at Tarragindi, QLD - Yesterday by Macwanderer

Unverified Grasshopper, Cricket or Katydid (Orthoptera) at Broke, NSW - 17 Nov 2025 by RoyP

Tectocoris diophthalmus (Cotton harlequin bug) at Broke, NSW - 18 Nov 2025 by RoyP

Bandidus sp. (genus) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Alticini (tribe) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Eucalyptus insect gall at Parkes, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Porrostoma rhipidium (Long-nosed Lycid (Net-winged) beetle) at Parkes, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Psyllidae sp. (family) at Barton, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Iridomyrmex purpureus (Meat Ant) at Parkes, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Eurymelinae (subfamily) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Glycaspis sp. (genus) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Paropsini sp. (tribe) (Unidentified paropsine leaf beetle) at Kingston, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Machaerotinae sp. (subfamily) at Parkes, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Camponotus consobrinus (Banded sugar ant) at Parkes, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Lepidoptera unclassified IMMATURE (caterpillar or pupa or cocoon) at Parkes, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Paropsisterna cloelia at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Parkes, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Coccinella transversalis (Transverse Ladybird) at Acton, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Psaroxantha (genus) at Parkes, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Neuroptera (order) (Unidentified lacewing) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Acacia insect gall at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Pentatomidae (family) at Fyshwick, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Diphucephala sp. (genus) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Rhinotia sp. (genus) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Heteroconis (genus) at Fyshwick, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Melanterius sp. (genus) at Fyshwick, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Acyphas (genus) (Lymantriinae, Erebidae) at Fyshwick, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Chauliognathus lugubris at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Braconidae (family) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Chironomidae (family) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Sapromyza sciomyzina at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Monolepta froggatti (Leaf beetle) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Edusella sp. (genus) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Camponotus sp. (genus) (A sugar ant) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Conoeca or Lepidoscia (genera) IMMATURE (Unidentified Cone Case Moth larva, pupa, or case) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Monophlebidae (family) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Iridomyrmex purpureus (Meat Ant) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Adoxia benallae at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Coccidae sp. (family) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Acizzia sp. (genus) at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Taxeotis perlinearia at Campbell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Mantispidae (family) (Unidentified mantisfly) at Russell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Conoeca or Lepidoscia (genera) IMMATURE (Unidentified Cone Case Moth larva, pupa, or case) at Russell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Philobota protecta (A concealer moth) at Russell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Chalcopteroides sp. (genus) at Russell, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Lasioglossum sp. (genus) at Strathnairn, ACT - 23 Oct 2025 by TimL

Stathmopoda crocophanes (Yellow Stathmopoda Moth) at Lawson, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by TimL

Heliocosma (genus) (A Tortricid moth) by DianneClarke

Leioproctus (Leioproctus) amabilis at Hall, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by Anna123

Gasteruptiidae (Family) at Downer, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by RobertD

Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Aranda, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by KMcCue

Myrtartona coronias (A Forester moth (Procidinae)) at Hawker, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by sangio7

Hyleoides concinna (Wasp-mimic bee) at Braemar, NSW - 13 Nov 2025 by Curiosity

Delias harpalyce (Imperial Jezebel) at Yarralumla, ACT - 18 Nov 2025 by JohnBundock

Homotrysis sp. (genus) at Aranda, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by KMcCue

Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua (A flower-feeding march fly) at Aranda, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by KMcCue

Camponotus aeneopilosus (A Golden-tailed sugar ant) at Aranda, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by KMcCue

Acanthonevroides sp. (genus) at Aranda, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by KMcCue

Theclinesthes serpentata at Aranda, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by KMcCue

Paropsisterna cloelia (Eucalyptus variegated beetle) at Paddys River, ACT - 15 Nov 2025 by Ash295

Osmylops sejunctus (Lacewing) at Russell, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Unverified Weevil (Curculionoidea) at Tinderry, NSW - 17 Nov 2025 by Harrisi

Paropsisterna obliterata (Obliterate Melaleuca Leaf Beetle) at Tinderry, NSW - 17 Nov 2025 by Harrisi

Unverified Leafhopper or planthopper (Hemiptera, several families) at Tinderry, NSW - 17 Nov 2025 by Harrisi

Castiarina kerremansi (A jewel beetle) at Stromlo, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by Harrisi

Pelecorhynchus fulvus (Orange cap-nosed fly) at Tinderry, NSW - 17 Nov 2025 by Harrisi

Pieris rapae (Cabbage White) at Sydney, NSW - 17 Nov 2025 by MatthewFrawley

Zizina otis at Sydney, NSW - 17 Nov 2025 by MatthewFrawley

Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Sydney, NSW - 17 Nov 2025 by MatthewFrawley

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Russell, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Hyalarcta nigrescens (Ribbed Case Moth) at Russell, ACT - 17 Nov 2025 by Hejor1

Paralucia aurifera at Rendezvous Creek, ACT - 16 Nov 2025 by DavidDedenczuk

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Discussion

JonLewis wrote:

Yesterday

Hi HW, probably Ochetellus, but can’t quite see it well enough. Cheers, Jon

Formicidae (family)

AlisonMilton wrote:

Yesterday

Hi Rickdon, thanks for your sighting. The media you provided is missing or unclear. To help us verify this sighting, please provide additional media.

Unverified Assassin bug (Reduviidae)

WendyEM wrote:

Yesterday

Well spotted. Merocroca automima has the yellow extend further along the costa to the apex, beside the brown patch. In Echinocosma catachrysa it does not.
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&quality_grade=research&taxon_id=789423
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&quality_grade=research&taxon_id=425906

Echinocosma catachrysa

Lorenzo wrote:

Yesterday

Thank you

Tanygnathini, cf. Heterothops (tribe)

MichaelMulvaney wrote:

Yesterday

Thanks Lorenzo

Tanygnathini, cf. Heterothops (tribe)