Photographs of a variety of creatures from the garden and the moth light.
First, a Leaf Hopper, or Lantern Fly, Rentinus dilatatus (Hemiptera, Fulgoridae) these come to the moth light occasionally. After wandering around on the ground sheet, this friendly individual thought denim was a better material to perch on.
Early autumn sees large numbers of Elhamma australasiae come in to the light, and inevitably the odd one on the groundsheet gets trodden on. Bull ants are usually on patrol and collect the casualties. There was competition for this one while a water beetle looked on.
Also into the light, a winged termite,
and this unknown species.
Many correas are coming into flower in autumn, and bees, both blue-banded and honey varieties are busy collecting pollen.
Autumn is also the time when Leaf-curling Spiders, Phonognatha graeffei, are at their most numerous. This one scorned the available leaves for something more colourful.
One that came inside in its rolled leaf attached to gardening clothes was taken outside for a photo on the wall, giving an uncommonly seen complete view.
All the St. Andrew’s cross spiders in the garden have now lived their lives and disappeared, but the female up under the house eave is still there. She has constructed a phenomenal five egg sacs.
Although beetle numbers have dropped there are still some interesting and attractive ones to be seen in and about the garden.
Quite a few weevils are wandering about, two of this species were observed while cutting firewood. Of interest are the small bulbous structures on the feet, seen in the frontal shot.
Click all images to enlarge.