Queensland, Australia - Unknown Moth (3) (1 Viewer)

[Mark Eising]

I found this moth at Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge in Julatten, Queensland, Australia on 28 October 2022.

Any advice or help is highly appreciated!

 

[Eranou]

Baphomet Moth (Creatonotos gangis) i think.

 

[etudiant]

Baphomet Moth (Creatonotos gangis) i think.

Impressive.
I would not know where to begin trying to identify this moth, yet a casual BF member throws out the answer.
This site has a deep bench.

 

[Mark Eising]

Impressive.
I would not know where to begin trying to identify this moth, yet a casual BF member throws out the answer.
This site has a deep bench.

Wow, thanks so much!
And it is a incredible creature aswell! I just learned that the male has evolved an ingenious way to find mates by spreading its pheromones using enormous, inflatable hairy appendages that unfurl from deep inside its abdomen.
These coremata (which means “feather dusters” in Greek) are used to waft a cocktail of chemicals into the surrounding environment.
These coremata can be as long as the moth's body which reaches just under 5cm in length.
These chemicals have a dual function – when females are exposed, the chemicals act as both an aphrodisiac and tranquiliser, but when males of the same species get a whiff, they serve as a handy repellent to drive the competition away.

 

[Atropos]

This is indeed Creatonotos gangis

 

[Mark Eising]

Thank you for your confirmation Atropos!