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Cryptic sun moth (Synemon theresa)

Cryptic sun moth
Synemon theresa)

 
Cryptic sun moth (Synemon theresa)

Cryptic sun moth
(Synemon theresa)

 

Cryptic sun moths

At our 2009 event, Bring us your Bugs, we were very lucky to have a cryptic sun moth (Synemon theresa) brought in by a family living in Teringie. The species has not been seen in Adelaide for many years. It was found in their hills-face garden.

About sun moths

Sun moths have often been called butterfly moths. Indeed, they are unusual moths and share many characteristics with butterflies:

  • They fly during the day. In fact, if the sun is obscured by clouds, sun moths will rest until it reappears!
  • They have "clubbed" antennae which they cannot "fold up" when they are resting (a common moth behaviour).
  • They sometimes fold their wings upright when resting, possibly to cover the makings of their wings from predators.

Other interesting characteristics of sun moths are:

  • They lay eggs near the base of the food plant required by their larvae - probably Wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia species).
  • They do not feed as adults, but survive on nutrient reserves built up during their larval stage.
  • As adults, they live short lives (probably less than 10 days). However, their larval stage is potentially 2-3 years long!

Sun moths have persisted in Australia for many millions of years. However, since European settlement, changes to the landscape have severely reduced their habitat.

Two sun moths have received a national listing as Endangered Species. The golden sun moth (Synemon plana) is listed as Critically Endangered and the graceful sun moth (Synemon gratiosa) is listed as Endangered.

Cryptic sun moths

The Cryptic sun moth was described by Doubleday in 1846. They have a wingspan of 3cm (males) to 3.5cm (females), are grey-brown in colour and have orange hindwings. Cryptic sun moths occur in grassy woodlands. These habitats have been reduced by land clearing because they are also attractive to humans for urbanisation and agriculture. With limited habitat, sightings of cryptic sun moths have been few and far between! Some authors have recently considered them to be extinct!

The specimen that was brought to the SA Museum for "Bring us your Bugs" was the first one seen in many years. It confirms that the species persists in the hill-face zone of Adelaide. We are extremely fortunate to still find them living so close to the city!

References

  1. Department of Sustainability and Environment (2003) Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Action Statement No. 146: Five threatened Victorian Sun-moths (Synemon species). Available at: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/8CD033DA4FEC900CCA2570ED0018F14E/$File/146+Sun-moths+five+species+2002.pdf
  2. Douglas, F (2004)A dedicated reserve for conservation of two species of Synemon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) in Australia. Journal of Insect Conservation 8: 221–228.
  3. EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna. Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna

Useful Links

For more information about any of our Citizen Science projects, please contact Philip Roetman.

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