Synemon plana

Taxobox | name = "Synemon plana"
status = CR
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Lepidoptera
familia = Castniidae
genus = "Synemon"
species = "S. plana"
binomial = "Synemon plana"
binomial_authority = Walker, 1854

"Synemon plana", the golden sun moth is a diurnal moth native to Australia. It is a medium-sized moth with clubbed antennae. The clubbed antennae are a notable feature of "Synemon plana"; most other moths have brushy antennae. The golden sun moth appears on the list of Australian critically endangered fauna. The golden sun moth is synonymous with "Austrodanthonia" species of grasses and is almost confined to grasslands which are home to these grass species. At least a 40% cover of "Austrodanthonia" species is optimal for the species [cite journal |quotes=no |author=O'Dwyer, C. & P.M. Attiwill |year=1999 |title=A comparative study of habitats of the Golden Sun Moth "Synemon plana" Walker (Lepidoptera: Castniidae): implications for restoration |journal=Biological Conservation |volume=89|pages=131–142 |doi=10.1016/S0006-3207(98)00157-8] .

Male "Synemon plana" are dull in colour, the forewings consisting of dark brown, patterned with pale grey and the hind wings are brown with darker brown patches. Female "Synemon plana" are brighter in colour with the forewings of brown and grey patterns, the forewings are a bright golden brown colouring with dark brown patches on the outer margin of the hindwings. This golden colouring gives "Synemon plana" its common name, the golden sun moth. Female "Synemon plana" are generally flightless, with small hindwings in comparison to the male.

The life cycle of the Golden Sun Moth is relatively well understood. Longevity is estimated to be about two years (Edwards 1994), however, genetic evidence suggests that generation time may actually be 12 months (Clarke 1999). After mating, it is believed that the females lay up to 200 eggs at the base of the Austrodanthonia tussocks. The eggs hatch after 21 days. The larvae tunnel underground where they remain feeding on grass roots before digging a vertical tunnel to the surface where the pupa remains for six weeks until the adult moths emerge. The immature stages of the Golden Sun Moth have not yet been described. Possible variation in the length of the larval stage of the Golden Sun Moth may create the flexibility needed for a population to survive harsh years (Edwards 1993). When females emerge from the tunnel as adults, they already possess fully developed eggs (Edwards 1993), and begin to search for a mate, flashing the vivid orange hindwings to attract any males flying overhead (Clarke & Spier 2003).

Adults only live for two to five days, as they cannot feed (Edwards 1993).

See also

* Threatened fauna of Australia

References

*Department of Environment and Heritage. [http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna#frogs%20that%20are%20Extinct EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna]