Nataxa flavescens Walker, 1855
This species occurs in Australia in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT and Victoria. Here at Claire Cottage we have seen it from September to late February. We have seen females often but have only had one male come to the light. However, when we raised larvae from eggs laid on our moth sheet two males hatched from the cocoons. Several cocoons remain dormant at present.
Larval Foodplant
MIMOSACEAE: Acacia sp.
Acacia melanoxylon Black Wattle
A female attracted to our moth light laid eggs in a cluster on the net.
The tiny larvae hatched twelve days later. They were kept in a large insect cage on branches of Acacia melanoxylon. At first they fed in large groups. As they grew larger the numbers in the groups reduced until they were feeding independently.
They pupated in a long narrow cocoon which incorporated some hairs from their last skin. Normally, pupation would be under bark or in a crevice next to the soil. Although one of our larva made its cocoon on the stem of a branch, the majority pupated under paper towel in the bottom of the cage, mostly in corners where the walls joined the floor. They over-wintered as pupae in the cage.
Eggs laid: 05 Jan 2025 and brought inside
Eggs hatched: 17 Jan 2025 larvae feed on Acacia melanoxylon
Pupated: late February to mid March 2025
Hatched:
9 Females: 2025 – 20 Jan, 17 Nov x2, 24 Dec; 2026 – 5 & 17 Jan, 1 & 20(x2) Feb
8 Males: 2025 – 21 Mar, 23 Mar; 2026 – 5 Jan, 17 & 25 Jan, 1, 10 & 19 Feb