Arotrophora arcuatalis
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
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 |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Banksia Boring Moth sighting in Great Otway National Park on a given day, based on 11 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 203rd most-seen of the 418 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.
February, April–May, August and October–November
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Banksia Boring Moth in Great Otway National Park on a given day, against under 5% in March, June–July, September and December–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.
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Banksia Boring Moth sightings, Great Otway National Park has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Blue Mountains National Park (Australia, under 5%).
Same family: Tortricidae
The closest relatives of the Banksia Boring Moth that you can see in Great Otway National Park (family Tortricidae, Tortricid Leafroller Moths) are Glyphidoptera polymita (about 10%) and Glyphidoptera insignana (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 Great Otway National Park (11 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.
