Satin Green Forrester Moth

We had plans to go into the city today, but that didn't happen so we went on a mini-safari into the Park instead.

A brilliant flash of green caught my eye, and I tried to follow it, with no joy. But walking along the track I saw it again and again. And finally managed to get a half decent shot. These gorgeous Satin Green Forrester Moths (Pollanisus viridipulverulenta) are day flying, highly iridescent, and irritatingly quick movers.

My first images, were horrible - I didn't realise that the sun needs to be shining in exactly the right spot to catch the beautiful colours.

But eventually I got a decent one - as you knew I would. What I didn't expect was the little beetley thing to the left-hand side of the image. I have no idea what it is, but the antennae suggest a wasp like critter.

I also saw a blue-tongued lizard, the fleeting tail of a kangaroo, some native bees (YAY!!), a few birds and a ton of wild flowers.

Here's the full Wiki entry:

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.