The Graceful Sun Moth - Not just your ordinary moth!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 June 2010

The Graceful Sun Moth (Synemon gratiosa) is a small day-flying moth endemic to south-west Western Australia, from Perth’s northern suburbs, south to Mandurah. The Graceful Sun Moth is listed as rare or likely to become extinct under the Western Australian Wildlife Act 1950 and is also protected under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). There are only a few populations known to exist, on small isolated bushland remnants on the Swan Coastal Plain, with its habitat constantly under threat from development. In the northern suburbs of Perth on the Swan Coastal Plain, the Graceful Sun Moth is found in areas of Banksia woodland/woolly bush on deep sands. It is also found close to the coast in open areas of herbland, heathland and shrubland on sand and limestone soils. In both habitat types, the Graceful Sun Moth breeds on species of the understory herb Lomandra (Lomandra hermaphrodita and Lomandra maritime).The habitat of the Graceful Sun Moth is rapidly diminishing and as a result, the presence of possible Graceful Sun Moth will now be a component of both State and Commonwealth environmental impact assessments.

The Graceful Sun Moth is only detectable during a very limited period each year (March) and it is important that surveys for this species are carried out early in the development planning process. The 360 Environmental team has been trained by the Department of Environment and Conservation to be fully qualified in surveying for the Graceful Sun Moth. With such a short surveying period available during March each year and with surveying area Licence Applications due by mid December....be quick! Make sure you have your Graceful Sun Moth surveys scheduled in your diary with 360 Environmental ready for next year’s season!