Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Synemon plana
Gazetted date:
29 Jul 2022
Profile last updated:
11 Oct 2022
Description
The Golden Sun Moth is a medium-sized, day-flying (diurnal) moth. Females have a wing-span of 31 mm; the male's wingspan is 34 mm. The female has a reduced hind-wing and is a very poor flyer. The female's upperside of the fore-wing is dark grey, patterned with paler grey, and the hindwing is bright orange with black spots near the edge. The undersides of both wings is white with small black spots near the edges. The male's upperside of the fore-wing is dark brown, patterned with pale grey, and the hind-wing is bronzy-brown with dark brown patches. The undersides of both wings is pale grey with dark brown spots. Both males and females have clubbed antennae. Functional mouthparts are lacking in both sexes. The immature stages have not been described.
Distribution
The Golden Sun Moth's NSW populations are found in the area between Queanbeyan, Gunning, Young and Tumut. The species' historical distribution extended from Bathurst (central NSW) through the NSW Southern Tablelands, through to central and western Victoria, to Bordertown in eastern South Australia.
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs in Natural Temperate Grasslands and grassy Box-Gum Woodlands in which groundlayer is dominated by wallaby grasses Austrodanthonia spp.
- Grasslands dominated by wallaby grasses are typically low and open - the bare ground between the tussocks is thought to be an important microhabitat feature for the Golden Sun Moth, as it is typically these areas on which the females are observed displaying to attract males.
- Habitat may contain several wallaby grass species, which are typically associated with other grasses particularly spear-grasses Austrostipa spp. or Kangaroo Grass Themeda australis.
- Adults are short-lived (one to four days) and do not feed - having no functional mouthparts; the larvae are thought to feed exclusively on the roots of wallaby grasses.
- Males spend their entire adult life patrolling the grassland in search of females; once mated, the females spend their time laying eggs at the bases of wallaby grass tussocks.
- Females have reduced hind wings and are reluctant to fly, even when disturbed, though males are capable of active and prolonged flight. However, males will not fly long distances (no greater than 100 m) away from areas of suitable habitat. Thus populations separated by distances of greater than 200 m can be considered effectively isolated and populations which have gone extinct, or vacant patches of suitable habitat, are highly unlikely to be recolonised.
- The flight period is relatively short, typically lasting from six to eight weeks (during November and December in the ACT region, possibly earlier or later in other regions). Males fly only in bright sunshine during the warmest part of the day (1000 - 1400 hrs). Adults emerge continuously throughout the flying season.
- Larvae feed on the roots of the wallaby grass plant. The larval development time (and thus generation time) is unknown - it possibly varies between one and three years.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss and degradation of habitat by urban, residential, infrastructure and agricultural development.
- Modifications to agricultural practices (e.g. fertiliser application, ploughing and inappropriate grazing).
- Overstocking that results in modification of soil structure through compaction, increased nutrient loads, and promotion of weeds.
- Invasion of habitat by weeds, particularly exotic pasture species (e.g. Phalaris aquatica, Paspalum dilatatum and Avena spp.).
- Colonisation of wallaby grass grassland habitat by dense Kangaroo Grass tussocks.
- Fragmentation and small size of remnants.
- Invasion of habitat by St John's wort.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
20 priority actions
to help recover the Golden Sun Moth in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Search for the species in suitable habitat in areas that are proposed for development or management actions.
- Retain and protect natural grassland remnants within the known distribution of the species.
- Do not change management of sites where species exists unless changes are likely to be beneficial.
- Do not destroy habitat and surrounding areas by ploughing and do not allow heavy, prolonged grazing on habitat.
- Control invasions of weeds and pasture species (but be wary of the impact of herbicide use in habitat): where possible use methods that directly target weeds such as spot spraying and hand removal.
- Where Kangaroo Grass threatens to out-compete wallaby grasses in previously grazed or mown sites, consider re-introducing an appropriate biomass control method.
- Ensure remnant populations remain connected or linked to each other; in cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish links by revegetating sites to act as stepping stones for dispersal.
- Mark known sites onto maps and plans.
Information sources
- Clarke, G.M. (1999) Genetic analysis of NSW populations of the endangered golden sun moth, Synemon plana. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra.
- Clarke, G.M. and Dear, C. (1998) A survey of native grassland sites in southeastern New South Wales for the endangered golden sun moth, Synemon plana. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra. 45 pp.
- Clarke, G.M. and O'Dwyer, C. (1998) Genetic analysis of populations of the endangered golden sun moth, Synemon plana. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra. 26 pp.
- Clarke, G.M. and O'Dwyer, C. (1999) Further survey in southeastern New South Wales for the endangered golden sun moth, Synemon plana. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra.
- Common, I.F.B. (1990) Moths of Australia. Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria.
- Dear, C. (1997) Restoration of a native grassland inhabited by Synemon plana (Lepidoptera) University of Melbourne.
- Douglas, F. (1993) The conservation status, distribution and habitat requirements of diurnal lepidoptera in central and western Victoria. Part 1: Family Castniidae. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Melbourne. 29 pp.
- Eddy, D. (2002) Managing Native Grassland: a guide to management for conservation, production and landscape protection. (World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Sydney)
- Eddy, D., Mallinson, D., Rehwinkel, R and Sharp. S. (1998) Grassland Flora: a field guide for the Southern Tablelands (NSW & ACT). (Environment ACT, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Natural Heritage Trust, Canberra)
- Edwards, E.D. (1994) Survey of lowland grassland sites in the A.C.T. for the golden sun moth, Synemon plana. CSIRO Division of Entomology, Canberra. 41 pp.
- Harwood, T., Narain, S. and Edwards, E.D. (1995) Population monitoring of the endangered Moth Synemon plana 1994-1995, York Park, Barton. CSIRO Division of Entomology, Canberra. 12 pp.
- Kirkpatrick, J.B. (1995) The status and conservation of lowland temperate grasslands in south-eastern Australia. P75-9 in Sharp, S. and Rehwinkel, R. (eds.) Management of Relict Lowland Grasslands ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Canberra.
- Lunt, I.D. (1991) Management of remnant lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands for nature conservation: a review. Victorian Naturalist 108: 56-66
- NSW Scientific Committee (1996) Golden sun moth - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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