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Common Whistling Moth
Conservation status: Least Concern
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This species of moth is found in South-eastern Australia. Both males are females are similarly coloured and patterned, with two white bands on the black forewings and black-bordered orange hind wings. The wingspan is about 30 mm. Male moths of this species have two special structures on their wings which produces a distinctive "whistling" sound as they fly.
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Scientific Classification
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Lepidoptera
Noctuidae
Agaristinae
Hecatesia
fenestrata
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One of the structures is a knob on the leading edge of the forewing. The other structure is positioned just behind the knob and is a scale-free, clear ribbed area. As the male moth flies, the knobs strike together when the wings meet overhead. This causes the ribbed area to flex and make the clicking or "whistling" sound which gives this species its common name. The sound is thought to attract females. Males have been observed flying a figure-of-eight pattern at dusk, which supports this idea.
The caterpillars are solitary in behaviour and feed on Cassytha species – Dodder Laurel. They grow to be about 3 cm in length and, when fully grown, will pupate in a crevice or in the soil.
"I never forgot the curious whistling sound emitted by an extremely fast flying butterfly/moth that was encountered a half a dozen or so times over the years...I can still recall watching the tall, thin, hat-waving forester Sid Curtis as he unsuccessfully chased the illusive whistler along the edge of the Wyberba Road."
Tom Ryan – Girraween National Park Overseer 1966-1972
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