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Bardi Moth
Abantiades atripalpis
Abantiades atripalpis, previously known as Trictena atripalpis, also known as rain moth, waikerie, and bardi (and variant spellings), is a moth of the family Hepialidae. It is one of the largest moths in Australia, and is found in the whole southern half of the country. The moths provide a food source for nocturnal animals, and the larval stage grubs are used as bait in fishing.
From the article Abantiades atripalpis on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), quoted section by section
Range & habitat
The rain moth is found right across southern Australia, including Tasmania, in woodland areas alongside creeks and gullies, especially near eucalyptus trees.
Wikipedia: “Habitat”
What it does
The moths only live for one day, and are unable to feed. Their sole purpose is to breed. The adult females produce a great number (up to 40,000) of eggs, which are scattered while flying, aimed towards the roots of gum trees. Their flight months are in the southern hemisphere's autumn season (March to June).
Wikipedia: “Life cycle”
At the table
They play an environmental role by aerating the soil as caterpillars, and as adults, they are a eaten by bats, owls, and tawny frogmouths. Some Aboriginal peoples, notably the Nyoongar of Western Australia, included the grubs in their diet. The caterpillar is used by fishers as bait.
Wikipedia: “Environmental impact and uses”
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Where it lives
Recorded sightings
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geo-referenced records in GBIF, from museums, herbaria and field observers.
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In the stacks
Searching the stacks…
Every page naming Abantiades atripalpis in the Biodiversity Heritage Library →
This page is assembled live from iNaturalist, GBIF, Wikipedia, the Source Library and the Internet Archive. It is not yet part of the hand-edited codex. iNaturalist taxon 705335.