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

Oxythecta neurota (A Concealer moth (Oecophorinae)) at Jerrabomberra, NSW - 2 Dec 2025 by DianneClarke

Castiarina kershawi (A jewel beetle) at Tinderry, NSW - 7 Dec 2025 by Harrisi

Asthenoptycha sp. A (ANIC) (A Tortricid moth (Tortricinae) at Paddys River, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by TimL

Leioproctus (Leioproctus) amabilis (A plaster bee) at Bruce, ACT - 3 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Pedois epinephela (A Gelechioid moth (Depressariidae) at Hawker, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Whitlam, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by JustinHurleyLey

Trapezites eliena (Orange Ochre) by LisaH

Rhotidus teliformis (Leafhopper) at Acton, ACT - 23 Nov 2025 by TimL

Latest sightings

Unverified Beetle (Coleoptera) at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by TimL

Unverified Geometer moth (Geometridae) at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by TimL

Capusa sp.(genus) at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by TimL

Unverified Wasp (Hymenoptera, Apocrita) at Acton, ACT - 7 Dec 2025 by TimL

Glyphipterix chrysoplanetis at Kambah, ACT - 4 Dec 2025 by TimL

Unverified Crane fly, midge, mosquito or gnat (several families) at Lawson, ACT - 11 Dec 2025 by TimL

Cerceris sp. (genus) at Hall, ACT - Yesterday by Anna123

Megachile (Genus) at Hall, ACT - 12 Dec 2025 by Anna123

Coreidae (family) at Holbrook, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Monophlebulus sp. (genus) at Holbrook, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Musca sp. (genus) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Euomma lateralis at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Alleculinae sp. (Subfamily) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Coleoptera (order) immature at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Phlogistus sp. (genus) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Anthicinae (subfamily) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Fabriogenia sp. (genus) at Theodore, ACT - 13 Dec 2025 by Cardy

Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua at Undefined - Yesterday by JohnBundock

Crematogaster sp. (genus) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Hemiptera (order) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Rhytidoponera sp. (genus) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Camponotus aeneopilosus at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Amorbus (genus) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Tenebrionidae (family) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Scutiphora pedicellata at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by JohnBundock

Camponotus consobrinus at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Gonipterini sp. (tribe) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Apocrita (suborder) Nest at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Anoplognathus montanus at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Pompilidae (family) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Asilidae (family) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Mordella sp. (genus) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Aridaeus thoracicus at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Obrida fascialis at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Pseudolycus sp. (genus) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Yoyetta fluviatilis (River Ambertail) at Coolac, NSW - Yesterday by Hejor1

Neuroptera (order) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Pseudomantis albofimbriata at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Tettigoniidae (family) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Dicranolaius bellulus at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Illeis galbula at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Ellipsidion australe at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Pentatomidae (family) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Stephanitis pyrioides at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Braconidae (family) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Coccinella transversalis at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Heteropsilopus sp. (genus) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Rutiliini (tribe) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Stigmatium victoriae at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Nysius sp. (genus) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Alticini (tribe) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Austroargiolestes icteromelas at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Harmonia conformis at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Micraspis frenata at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Chauliognathus lugubris at Acton, ACT - Yesterday by JohnBundock

Lamiinae (family) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Hippodamia variegata at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Thynnidae (Family) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Diaphorinae (subfamily) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Simosyrphus grandicornis at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Helina sp. (genus) at Bright, VIC - Yesterday by Hejor1

Pelecorhynchus fulvus at Hall, ACT - 16 Nov 2025 by Anna123

Unverified True fly (Diptera) at Gordon, ACT - 8 Dec 2025 by GG

Amegilla (Zonamegilla) asserta (Blue Banded Bee) at Gordon, ACT - 8 Dec 2025 by GG

Unverified Insect at Greenway, ACT - Yesterday by GG

Unverified Grasshopper (several families) at Bonython, ACT - Yesterday by GG

Anoplognathus brunnipennis at Cook, ACT - Yesterday by CathB

Delias harpalyce at Gordon, ACT - 3 Oct 2025 by GG

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Cook, ACT - Yesterday by CathB

Unverified Leafhopper or planthopper (Hemiptera, several families) at Cook, ACT - Yesterday by CathB

Pollanisus (genus) (A Forester Moth) at Aranda, ACT - 12 Dec 2025 by CathB

Netrocoryne repanda at Theodore, ACT - Yesterday by GG

Hoshihananomia sp. (genus) (A pintail beetle) at Bonython, ACT - Yesterday by GG

Phaulacridium vittatum at Hackett, ACT - Yesterday by WalterEgo

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Higgins, ACT - 9 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Yoyetta sp. (genus) at Higgins, ACT - 9 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Yoyetta sp. (genus) (Firetail or Ambertail Cicada) at Higgins, ACT - 9 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Higgins, ACT - 9 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Unverified Sawfly (Hymenoptera, Symphyta) at Higgins, ACT - 9 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Unverified Curved-horn moth (all Gelechioidea except Oecophoridae) at Bredbo, NSW - 12 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Conoeca or Lepidoscia (genera) IMMATURE (Unidentified Cone Case Moth larva, pupa, or case) at Higgins, ACT - 9 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Dasypodia selenophora (Southern Old Lady Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Unverified Geometer moth (Geometridae) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Dec 2025 by AlisonMilton

Megachile (Hackeriapis) rhodura at Jerrabomberra, NSW - Yesterday by DianneClarke

Unverified Wasp (Hymenoptera, Apocrita) at Lyons, ACT - Yesterday by ran452

Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Lyons, ACT - Yesterday by ran452

Hylaeinae (subfamily) (Masked bee, Hylaeine bee) at Lyons, ACT - Yesterday by ran452

Oedaleus australis (Australian Oedaleus) at Latham, ACT - 2 Dec 2025 by Caric

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

Gastrimargus musicus (Yellow-winged Locust or Grasshopper) at Latham, ACT - 13 Dec 2025 by Caric

Cerdistus sp. (genus) (Slender Robber Fly) at Latham, ACT - 13 Dec 2025 by Caric

Acanthonevroides jarvisi at Aranda, ACT - Yesterday by KMcCue

Acrida conica (Giant green slantface) at Latham, ACT - 13 Dec 2025 by Caric

Unverified Case moth (Psychidae) at Aranda, ACT - Yesterday by KMcCue

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Discussion

Anna123 wrote:

Yesterday

@PeterA Thanks Peter, yes this one doesn't seem to be described as far as I can tell, although there are a couple of photos on the internet. I have collected a specimen and Michael Batley is going to have a look at it.

Hylaeus (Rhodohylaeus) (genus & sugenus)

PeterA wrote:

Yesterday

Very likely E. adelaidae. Other possibility is E. edwardsii. Look at the forward side part of the thorax - openly pitted on E. edwardsii, densely pitted on E. adelaidae.

Euryglossa adelaidae

PeterA wrote:

Yesterday

Looks more like a wasp.

Unverified Bee (Hymenoptera, Apiformes)

PeterA wrote:

Yesterday

I think this is the subgenus, but can’t get further to the species. I’ll keep looking.
Lots of bees out your way, Anna.

Hylaeus (Rhodohylaeus) (genus & sugenus)

lpopple wrote:

Yesterday

e0m first suggested the ID and somehow I managed to delete it when attempting to verify it, apologies e0m!