Interesting Events
SWIFT MOTHS - 21/04/07
On the night of Saturday 21st April 2007, Wangaratta & other towns recieved a welcome rain that was unexpected. We also recieved another unexpected surprise when the front lights were turned on. I was delighted to be invaded by a new hatching of Swift Moths.
Larvae known as grubs, develop underground and emerge out of their shells on rainy nights and fly towards any lights nearby.
They must of hatched out in their thousands.
On sunday I discovered their shells sticking out of the ground, here are some photos of the event.
These Moths hatch out usually after Heavy rain in April
22/04/08
24/04/09
23/04/10
IMAGES***** - COMING SOON!
CICADAS - 24/10/07
On the 24th of October 2007, hundreds probably thousands of Cicadas crawlled towards the soil surface & ascended to the tree tops.
Usually in December onwards when the weather is warmer, the adults emerge.
As they hatch from their shells to begin a new life & transform into adults. Only the males produce a singing chorus like the symphony orchestra to attract a mate.
Females lay the eggs on trees, which fall to the bottom & burrow underground, nymphs feed on sap from tree roots.
Some species can spend their larval lives underground for several years until the weather conditions are right for them to hatch.
More information about Cicadas below
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/cicada.html