Arotrophora arcuatalis
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~30%
Arotrophora arcuatalis, commonly known as banksia boring moth or rarely banksia moth, is a species of Australian tortrid moth best known as a pest of Banksia. First described by Francis Walker in 1865, it is the type species for Arotrophora. It occurs throughout coastal and sub-coastal areas of southern Australia. Adults are grey with brown and white markings.
The moth lays its eggs on the surface of the flower spikes of Banksia while in early bud, and the larvae tunnel into the axis of the spike, boring from follicle to follicle to consume the seeds. They infest a wide range of Banksia species, in some species substantially reducing the seed set. In the cut flower industry, their tunnelling affects the cosmetic qualities of flower spikes, rendering them unsaleable. As a result, there has been significant research into control of the moth, including identification of its pheromones. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Blue Mountains National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Banksia Boring Moth sighting in Blue Mountains National Park on a given day, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 611th most-seen of the 789 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
February–April and October
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Banksia Boring Moth in Blue Mountains National Park on a given day, against under 5% in May–September and November–January, the lowest months.
Between 8 and 11 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Banksia Boring Moth sightings with a recorded time, and about 7 in 10 of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is mostly seen at night.
2nd of 2
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Banksia Boring Moth sightings, Blue Mountains National Park ranks 2nd at under 5%. The best odds are in Great Otway National Park (Australia, about 10%).
Same family: Tortricidae
The closest relatives of the Banksia Boring Moth that you can see in Blue Mountains National Park (family Tortricidae, Tortricid Leafroller Moths) are Acroceuthes metaxanthana (about 10%), Cotton Tipworm Moth (about 10%) and Orange Fruit Borer (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Banksia Boring Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Blue Mountains National Park (6 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
