Page 297 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Castniidae
DISTRIBUTION Southeastern Australia
HABITAT Native grasslands
HOST PLANTS Wallaby grasses (Rytidosperma spp.), spear grasses (Austrostipa
spp.), and Chilean Needle Grass (Nassella neesiana)
NOTE Subterranean caterpillar that feeds on grass roots
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but listed as critically endangered under
Commonwealth of Australia legislation

ADULT WINGSPAN
1¼–1
⁄ in (31–34 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1⅛ in (28 mm)
SYNEMON PLANA
GOLDEN SUN MOTH 295

WALKER, 1854

The Golden Sun Moth caterpillar hatches from an egg laid
at the base of a grass clump. A female may lay up to 200 eggs over
many clumps. The caterpillar tunnels underground, where it
remains feeding on grass roots for up to two years, although the
details of the development of caterpillars is not well documented.
Caterpillars seem to be able to survive well in areas invaded by Actual size
the weedy Chilean Needle Grass. After completing growth, the
caterpillar digs a vertical tunnel to the surface before pupating.

The pupal period is six weeks, and, after eclosion, the empty
pupal casing protrudes from the soil surface. Male moths
fly rapidly, during the day, in a zigzag flight pattern about
3 ft (1 m) above the grass, searching for females that sit on the The Golden Sun Moth caterpillar is white, tinged
with brown. Its thoracic segments are larger than
ground and rarely fly. Synemon plana has become a flagship the abdominal segments, and the abdomen
species for remnant native grasslands, and environmental impact tapers slightly toward the posterior end. The
prothoracic plate is large, and the legs are small.
statements are required before construction projects can occur The body is without prolegs, and there are a few
on its habitat. secondary setae. The head is brown and has
long, tactile setae on its anterior part.