Pollanisus viridipulverulenta
Encyclopedia
The Satin-Green Forester (Pollanisus viridipulverulenta) is a moth
of the Zygaenidae
family. It is found in the eastern part of Australia (Queensland
, New South Wales
, Australian Capital Territory
, Victoria
, South Australia
and Tasmania
).
The length of the forewings is 11–13 mm for males and 8–9 mm for females. The wingspan
is about 30 mm. Adults are metallic blue-green. Adults are on wing from August and early September (in Queensland and South Australia) to January (in Tasmania).
The larvae feed on various Hibbertia
species, including Hibbertia obtusifolia
, Hibbertia stricta and Hibbertia sericea
. It pupates in a cocoon amongst the foliage or in the ground litter at the foot of the host plant.
Adult moths are day-flying, and can be found feeding during the hottest hours of the day. Mating takes place in the afternoon and lasts until the following morning, and following this the female lays eggs on the host plant.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Zygaenidae
Zygaenidae
The Zygaenidae moths are a family of Lepidoptera. The majority of zygaenids are tropical, but they are nevertheless quite well represented in temperate regions. There are about 1000 species. Various species are commonly known as Burnet or Forester moths, often qualified by the number of spots,...
family. It is found in the eastern part of Australia (Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
and Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
).
The length of the forewings is 11–13 mm for males and 8–9 mm for females. The wingspan
Wingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
is about 30 mm. Adults are metallic blue-green. Adults are on wing from August and early September (in Queensland and South Australia) to January (in Tasmania).
The larvae feed on various Hibbertia
Hibbertia
Hibbertia, or Guinea flower, is a genus of trees, shrubs, trailing shrubs and climbers of the family Dilleniaceae. The five-petalled flowers of all species are varying shades of yellow, with the exception of H. stellaris, H. miniata and H. selkii, a recently named species from the Stirling...
species, including Hibbertia obtusifolia
Hibbertia obtusifolia
Hibbertia obtusifolia, commonly known as Hoary Guinea-flower, is a small shrub species that is native to south-eastern Australia. It grows to 60 cm high and has yellow flowers that appear in spring and summer....
, Hibbertia stricta and Hibbertia sericea
Hibbertia sericea
Hibbertia sericea, or Silky Guinea-flower, is a species of small perennial shrub, in the family Dilleniaceae, that is endemic to Australia. It has small yellow five-petalled flowers to across....
. It pupates in a cocoon amongst the foliage or in the ground litter at the foot of the host plant.
Adult moths are day-flying, and can be found feeding during the hottest hours of the day. Mating takes place in the afternoon and lasts until the following morning, and following this the female lays eggs on the host plant.