Golden Sun Moth spotted in Muckleford and Spring Gully

Posted on 8 December, 2009 by Connecting Country

The critically endangered Golden Sun Moth has been spotted in the Muckleford and Spring Gully areas.

The Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana) is a bronze coloured day-time flying moth, with clubbed antennae. The upper-side of the forewing is dark bronze brown and grey. The hindwing of males is dark brown whilst females have bright orange hind wings with black spots. Adult males are larger (3.5cm) than females (3.0cm).

The moth occurs in Natural Temperate Grasslands and grassy Box-Gum Woodlands where the ground layer is predominantly wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia species). Grasslands dominated by wallaby grasses are typically low and open. The bare ground between the tussocks is thought to be an important feature for the Golden Sun Moth – it is on these bare spaces that females are observed displaying to attract males. Habitat may contain several wallaby grass species typically associated with other grasses particularly spear-grasses (Austrostipa species.) or Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis).

Female Golden Sun Moth. Photo: R. Zollinger