Bug Life

Spring and summertime mean bugs are everywhere! Aside from watching out for pests, here are some other 'visitors'.

Underside of a friendly neighbourhood orb weaver spider (Argiope) in cross position with characteristic web pattern.

Hanging outside a bedroom window was this massive long-jawed orb weaver (Tetragnatha). A bit scary-looking but also a friendly garden spider. We did see a few redbacks as well in spring/summer 2015, but luckily had no incidents.

Found this fancy moth hanging out on the washing line - some Googling identifies is as an Australasian Privet Hawk Moth (Psilogramma casuarinae or possibly P. menephron). Decent bark/leaf camouflage, but it doesn't quite work when it lands on a blue washcloth..!!

This one was a bit harder to identify, but eventually was found to be Nausinoe pueritia. Really nice creamy brown colour with white patches ringed in black, almost like leopard spots.