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Moths in fragments: insights into the biology and ecology of the Australian endangered golden sun moth Synemon plana (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) in natural temperate and exotic grassland remnants

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Abstract

The conservation and management of endangered species requires an adequate understanding of their biology and ecology. Although there has been an increasing appreciation in Australia of the need for greater efforts to conserve insects, there is only limited information available that can be used to underpin conservation efforts. The endangered golden sun moth, Synemon plana (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) is a flagship species endemic to natural temperate grassland in south-eastern Australia. Most populations of this species are at considerable risk from habitat loss, weed invasion and inadequate management. Despite the considerable knowledge that exists about the species biology and ecology, efforts to improve the species conservation status are hampered because there are still critical gaps in our understanding of the species’ natural history. In particular, the ecology of the larvae is not known. Our study examined the abundance, population structure and reproductive biology of the moths in a broad sample of both natural temperate and exotic grassland remnants in and near Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in south-eastern Australia. The results fill critical gaps in the knowledge needed to achieve effective conservation management. From our findings, it is clear that the species inhabits grasslands dominated by a mixture of native wallaby grasses (Rytidosperma spp. (formerly Austrodanthonia)) and spear grasses (Austrostipa spp.). In contrast to earlier suggestions that S. plana is entirely confined to natural temperate grassland, mature and immature life stages of the species were also present in grasslands comprised entirely of the exotic Chilean needlegrass (Nassella neesiana). Most of the S. plana populations surveyed in the ACT were characterised by low relative abundance with only very few large populations being recorded. The conservation of exotic grasslands as substitute habitat for S. plana is discussed and suggestions regarding future monitoring and research of the species are provided.

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Acknowledgments

First and foremost, we thank the many volunteers who contributed to the success of the community project. We also thank Kim Pullen (CSIRO Entomology), Isobel Crawford (National Herbarium of Australia), Alan Yen (Primary Industries Victoria), Daniel Gilmore (Biosis Melbourne), Dana Weinhold and Sylvio Teubert for species identification and species ecology related discussions, field work, administrative assistance and comments on the manuscript. Statistical advice was received from Bernd Gruber and David Peterson (both University of Canberra). Anett Richter was supported by the UC International Postgraduate Scholarship. The ‘Sun Moth count’ project was financially supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature and the ACT Government. Facilities were provided by the Institute for Applied Ecology at the University of Canberra. Parsons Brinckerhoff and the Department of Finance commissioned A. Rowell to conduct the MRR study in 2007 and kindly permitted the publication of the results. Permission to undertake this research was provided by the ACT Government. Finally, we thank Michael Braby and one anonymous reviewer for providing valuable comments and suggestions to improve the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Anett Richter & Will Osborne

  2. Friends of Grasslands, PO Box 987, Civic Square, ACT, 2608, Australia

    Sarah Hnatiuk

  3. PO Box 777, Dickson, ACT, 2602, Australia

    Alison Rowell

Authors
  1. Anett Richter
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  2. Will Osborne
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  3. Sarah Hnatiuk
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  4. Alison Rowell
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Correspondence to Anett Richter.

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Richter, A., Osborne, W., Hnatiuk, S. et al. Moths in fragments: insights into the biology and ecology of the Australian endangered golden sun moth Synemon plana (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) in natural temperate and exotic grassland remnants. J Insect Conserv 17, 1093–1104 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-013-9589-1

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