Tirathaba rufivena
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
Tirathaba rufivena, the coconut spike moth, greater coconut spike moth or oil palm bunch moth, is a moth of the family Pyralidae. It is found from south-east Asia to the Pacific islands, including Malaysia, the Cook Islands, the Philippines and the tropical region of Queensland, Australia. They are considered as a minor pest.
Its wingspan is about 26–30 millimetres (1–1+1⁄4 in). More or less developed annuli at middle and end of the cell connected by a white streak, sometimes with a spot in base of cell also joined by the white streak. The inner margin, vein 1, the interno-median interspace and veins beyond lower angle of cell streaked with crimson. A dark marginal line. The hindwings are plain pale yellow or orange yellow.
The larvae are an agricultural pest that feeds on Cocos nucifera, Nypa fruticans, Elaeis guineensis, Musa species, and Phaseolus species. Usually the caterpillar attacks male flowers where infestation causes abortion of young and results in underdeveloped fruits. A severe attack can wilt the plant and delay plant development. They are not borers, and only show external feeding.
Biological control is the most... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Springbrook National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brisbane | 🇦🇺 Australia |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Coconut Spike Moth sighting in Springbrook National Park on a given day, based on 7 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 262nd most-seen of the 429 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.
March–May and December–January
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Coconut Spike Moth in Springbrook National Park on a given day, against under 5% in February and June–November, the lowest months.
Between 7 and 10 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Coconut Spike Moth sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is mostly seen at night.
Among the best
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Coconut Spike Moth sightings, Springbrook National Park ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Daintree National Park (Australia, about 10%).
Same family: Pyralidae
The closest relatives of the Coconut Spike Moth that you can see in Springbrook National Park (family Pyralidae, Pyralid Snout Moths) are Endotricha mesenterialis (about 20%), Orthaga seminivea (about 10%) and Stericta concisella (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Coconut Spike Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Springbrook National Park (7 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.
