PREAMBLE The Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana Walker, 1854) was declared an endangered species on 15 April 1996 (Instrument No. DI1996-29 under the Nature Conservation Act 1980). Under section 101 of the Nature Conservation Act 2014, the Conservator of Flora and Fauna is responsible for preparing a draft action plan for listed species. The first action plan for this species was prepared in 1998 (ACT Government 1998). This revised edition supersedes the earlier edition. This action plan includes the ACT Native Grassland Conservation Strategy set out in schedule 1 to the ‘Nature Conservation (Native Grassland) Action Plans 2017’, to the extent it is relevant. Measures proposed in this action plan complement those proposed in the action plans for Natural Temperate Grassland, Yellow Box/Red Gum Grassy Woodland, and component threatened species such as the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) and the Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla).
need to maintain natural evolutionary CONSERVATION STATUS processes. Synemon plana is recognised as a threatened Specific objectives of the action plan are to: species in the following sources: • Conserve large populations in the ACT. National Protect other populations from unintended impacts (unintended impacts are those not Critically Endangered – Environment Protection already considered through an and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 environmental assessment or other statutory (Commonwealth). process). Australian Capital Territory • Manage the species and its habitat to maintain the potential for evolutionary Endangered – Nature Conservation Act 2014. development in the wild. Special Protection Status Species - Nature Conservation Act 2014. • Enhance the long-term viability of populations through management of New South Wales adjacent grassland to increase habitat area Endangered – Threatened Species Conservation and connect populations. Act 1995.
Victoria SPECIES DESCRIPTION AND Threatened – Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act ECOLOGY 1988. DESCRIPTION The Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana Walker 1854) is a moth in the family Castniidae. Genera CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES in this family are found in Central and South The overall conservation objective of this action America and in Australia, suggesting a plan is to maintain in the long term viable, wild Gondwanan origin for the family (Edwards populations of S. plana as a component of the 1991). All adult moths in this family are diurnal, indigenous biological resources of the ACT and and their larvae feed on monocotyledonous as a contribution to regional and national plants (Common 1990). conservation of the species. This includes the
Golden Sun Moth Action Plan 187 Synemon plana adults are medium-sized, with two centuries later this had been reduced to clubbed antennae and no functional mouth- less than 1% of the original area (Kirkpatrick parts. In males, the upper side of the forewing is 1993), with the remaining remnants degraded dark brown with pale grey patterning, the hind by stock grazing and weed invasion. wing is dark bronzy brown with dark brown A recent review of the status of S. plana across patches, and the underside of both wings is its range found that between the years 2000 mostly pale grey with dark brown spots. and 2010 the known area of occupied habitat In females the upper side of the forewing is dark had increased from 10 km² to 150 km² due grey with pale grey patterning, the hind wing is mainly to increased survey of areas proposed bright orange with black submarginal spots, and for development (Hogg 2010). Currently, the the underside of both wings is silky white with species is known from 100 (mainly small) sites small black submarginal spots. The male north and west of Melbourne and in south-west wingspan is about 34 mm, and the female Victoria (Brown and Tolsma 2010; Brown et al. wingspan is about 31 mm. The male having a 2011; DSE 2013), 48 sites in NSW (OEH 2012) larger wingspan than the female is unique in the and 78 sites in the ACT. Australian Castniidae. Females have a long Most of the populations of S. plana in the ACT extensible ovipositor. region are smaller than five hectares and lie Synemon plana eggs are just over 2 mm long, within an area about 100 km long and 30 km and the larvae develop underground where they wide, extending from the Queanbeyan district in are found associated with the roots of a few the south-east to the Boorowa area in the species of grasses or at the upper end of silk- north-west (Clarke and Whyte 2003; NSW lined tunnels below the tussock base (Richter Wildlife Atlas 2015). In the ACT the species 2010). Larvae are cream in colour, and late- occurs in lowland areas adjacent to the city of instars have a red-brown head capsule. The Canberra, and in mostly small sites within the empty red-brown pupal cases protrude from the city (Table 1). ground, usually at the base of or close to a grass Table 1 shows the area of habitat at sites where tussock. The pupal cases of female moths are the species is known to occur in the ACT. These larger than those of males, reflecting the larger sites are defined as areas of contiguous, size of the gravid female abdomen (Richter apparently suitable habitat, rather than by land 2010). ownership/management. For example, relatively large areas of habitat at Canberra Airport and the Majura Training Area are DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE counted as one site because the habitat is Historically S. plana was widespread in south- continuous across the tenure boundary, while eastern Australia and relatively continuous two small areas of habitat at the University of throughout its range, showing a close Canberra are counted as two sites because they correlation with the distribution of temperate are separated by more than 200 metres of non- grasslands dominated by Wallaby Grasses habitat. (Rytidosperma spp., formerly Austrodanthonia) Because males are unlikely to fly more than 100 (Edwards 1993; O’Dwyer and Attiwill 1999). m away from suitable habitat (Clarke and Areas dominated by Wallaby Grasses probably O’Dwyer 2000), and females move even less occurred as part of a grassland mosaic, distance, populations separated by 200 metres interspersed with patches dominated by other or more are likely to be isolated and are grass species. Museum records indicate S. plana therefore treated as separate sites. was still common and widespread prior to 1950, Populations of S. plana tend to have a patchy with collections showing its distribution distribution (and density) within an area of extended from Bathurst, NSW, through the apparently suitable habitat (and this area can Southern Tablelands of NSW and central vary between years), which means actual areas Victoria to the South Australian border (Edwards occupied by S. plana are likely to be less than 1993). the habitat areas shown in Table 1. The area of temperate grassland in Australia at the time of European settlement is estimated to have been about two million hectares, though
188 Golden Sun Moth Action Plan Table 1. Location of Synemon plana populations earlier on north facing sites, those with light in the ACT ground cover and drier sites (Edwards 1994). More adults emerge on hot dry days, making it District Number of Habitat area difficult to detect the difference between long- sites (hectares) term population trends and short-term seasonal Belconnen 9 355 effects at a site without surveying the whole site on every day of a season. Mark–release– Central 25 110 recapture studies are labour-intensive and need Canberra to be carried out every day of the flying season in order to estimate the number of adult males Gungahlin 32 812 present in the population. The length of the larval period is not clear, nor is Jerrabomberra 7 60 it known if it can vary according to environmental conditions, so it is not known Majura 5 466 what proportion of the standing population is represented by the number of adults that fly in Total 78 1803 one season. Detecting and sampling larvae is difficult due to their patchy subterranean distribution and is destructive of larvae and The area of apparently suitable (or potential) their habitat. Late-season surveys of above- habitat for S. plana in the ACT is estimated to be ground pupal cases can provide a useful about 1800 hectares, with individual sites indication of S. plana density as well as locations varying in size from 0.055 ha to more than 300 where larvae have developed underground ha, and a median size of 2.8 ha. There are large because pupal cases are readily recognisable populations on Commonwealth Land at the and have been found to persist in the field for Majura Training Area and Canberra Airport in longer than three weeks. However, pupal cases the Majura Valley, at the Lawson Grasslands are likely to be more difficult to find on sites (former Belconnen Naval Transmission Station with denser vegetation or in wetter years site) and at the West Macgregor offset area. (Richter et al. 2012; Rowell pers. obs). Less extensive populations occur in the Dunlop Grasslands Reserve and Jarramlee Nature Population estimates based on mark–release– Reserve in Belconnen, in the Jerrabomberra recapture surveys have been undertaken four Grasslands (east and west), and in the times for the small (0.4 ha) site at York Park in Mulanggari, Crace, Mulligans Flat and Barton. The number of flying males was Goorooyarroo nature reserves in Gungahlin. estimated to be 520 (1992), 456 (1993) and 736 et al. Based on the known former distribution of (1994) (Harwood 1995), giving an average lowland Temperate Grassland in the ACT and population estimate for those years of 1400 areas surveyed for S. plana, it is unlikely any males per hectare This would be an annual adult significant populations of the species remain cohort of about 2300 per hectare if the undiscovered. male:female sex ratio is 60:40 as suggested by Richter et al. (2012). A two or three-year life Numerous difficulties arise when attempting to cycle would mean that double or triple the estimate population size in S. plana (Gibson and number of emerging adults estimated is New 2007). Flying adult males are the only life potentially present on this site. stage and sex that are readily detected and counted, but they are short-lived and emerge across a season of many weeks. Counts or density estimates at a site on a single day will mostly reflect a single emergence cohort, and daily emergence and flight activity is affected by weather conditions. Daily emergence patterns between sites and across a site can also vary, with the flying season starting
Golden Sun Moth Action Plan 189 A similar survey at York Park in 2006 using a Hogg (2010) proposed three levels of S. plana different analysis gave estimated male numbers activity (low, moderate, high) based on numbers of 440 (Rowell 2007a), with daily male of flying males counted during a standard time population size during the peak flying period of (fixed or transect counts) or distance travelled about 55 to 65. A further mark–release– (walked transects and meandering traverses) recapture survey in 2011 found similar daily and then rated the S. plana population male population sizes of 49 and 66 during the size/activity at 56 ACT sites based on recent peak flying season (Rowell 2012). survey records. Mulvaney (2012) used the above and other data to apply the Richter et al. (2009) Given the difficulties with measuring absolute maximum moth count abundance classes to 73 population sizes for S. plana, measures of ACT sites. relative abundance or maximum daily abundance are likely be more practical for Standardised survey methods are detailed in monitoring population trends. Counts of flying DEWHA (2009) and have been developed by the males have been undertaken at most ACT sites, ACT Government. These mainly cover transect, but these have often involved different survey fixed point and fixed time counts of flying males, methods and years. Some ACT sites have been carried out in a way that allows some counted regularly, and others only once or comparison of relative S. plana abundance twice. Richter et al. (2009) reported relative between years and sites. Draft monitoring abundance of flying males at 28 sites in one guidelines for the ACT include habitat season by using the highest number of monitoring methods to be used in conjunction individuals summed from 12 ‘rotational’ counts with standardised moth counts. (standing in one spot and counting all flying Transect surveys covering some large ACT sites males within a defined radius whilst the have been repeated in several seasons, mostly observer rotates though 360 degrees) during 2– using transects across the site spaced 100 4 site visits, and characterised the abundance at metres apart with numbers of flying males each site from low (1–20 moths) to very high recorded per 100 metres of transect. These (several hundred). Richter (2010) conducted include: surveys at 24 locations over three seasons using counts along a 100 metre transect and found • Lawson Grasslands (former Belconnen Naval only a small number of sites had relatively high Transmission Station) (Clarke and Dunford abundance (hundreds) of moths. 1999; AECOM 2009), • West Macgregor (Braby 2005; Biosis 2015; Rowell 2015),
Golden Sun Moth (photo K. Nash) • Canberra Airport (Crawford 2001; Rowell and Bishop 2004; Biosis 2008; Rowell 2006, 2010, 2012), • Majura Training Area (AECOM 2009, 2012). Some general findings from the above surveys: • Where it could be calculated, the average number of flying males per 100 metres for each site in the above surveys ranged from 0.2 to 34. • When whole sites were taken into account, moth numbers were consistently highest at Canberra Airport (a site managed by regular mowing), but similar densities were recorded for the portion of West Macgregor dominated by grazed Chilean Needlegrass (Nassella neesiana). • At West Macgregor, numbers of flying males were consistently higher on the creek flats
190 Golden Sun Moth Action Plan dominated by Chilean Needlegrass than on consuming and often less successful than the drier east-facing slope dominated by surveys for flying males, but can be undertaken weedy native Speargrass (Austrostipa in a different time period to when males are spp.)/Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma spp.) flying. Surveys for females are best undertaken pasture. after the main period of male flying activity each day, when the females are more easily seen as • There is a tendency for seasons to be they walk quickly from tussock to tussock to lay characterised by either a high, moderate or eggs. low abundance of flying males at most sites across the northern ACT at the same time, Females are most readily seen on very hot with some local variation at particular sites afternoons (35–38°C) when they will perch on (probably reflecting vegetation condition). tall grass stems, presumably to escape the hot soil surface (Rowell, pers. obs). Searches of • A reduction in numbers of flying males defined areas or timed searches for females can between years appeared to be associated be combined with searches for empty pupal with excess biomass at one site and with cases, as both require close inspection of the overgrazing by kangaroos at another. ground. Pupal case surveys are best undertaken • The highest single count (per 100 metre towards the end of the flying season, when they sector) for a site is related to the abundance will be more numerous, as they remain intact at for the whole site, i.e. very high single counts the soil surface for several weeks under some occur in ‘good’ years when the count for the conditions (Richter et al. 2012). whole site is high. Unfortunately females and pupal cases are not • In seasons when males are abundant they easily found on sites with sparse or small S. may be detected across most of a site, but in plana populations. Surveys for larvae are poor years they may be found thinly destructive and require a permit to disturb the scattered or have a patchy distribution which habitat, as tussocks are uprooted and the roots may match locations of high male abundance searched. There is no formal published in previous seasons. description of the larvae, which need to be identified by an expert. Larvae are also patchily • Evidence of breeding (mating, oviposition, distributed in the habitat, possibly reflecting pupal cases) occurs in both Natural laying by individual females. Temperate Grassland and native grassland, and is detected more often in areas and The most up to date distribution data for this seasons of high male abundance. species is publicly available on the ACT Government’s mapping portal (Visit the • The number of females detected rises with ACTmapi website). the abundance of flying males, but rarely exceeds 1% of males recorded in walked transect surveys. This reflects the low HABITAT AND ECOLOGY probability of detecting females by the transect method. Synemon plana is found in native grassland, native pasture, open woodland with a grassy The presence of flying males is a fairly coarse understorey and ‘secondary’ grassland (open measure of breeding habitat, as they are able to grassy woodland that has been cleared of trees). fly some distance from their site of emergence Occupied sites have generally not been pasture and may also congregate in areas of low improved through the application of fertiliser, or herbage mass (which may or may not contain ploughed (Richter et al. 2010). Sites are the less mobile females), or shelter on the lee generally flat or gently sloping ( 50 ha AND supporting populations of of key populations (Rowell and Evans 2014). more than 50 moths (population must be Synemon plana occurs on Territory land counted at a time when large populations are managed as public open space (where current observed at nearby known sites)”. Given this management practices, including regular special offset requirement, a survey is required herbage mass control though mowing or for this species for both the number of slashing, generally appear to be compatible with individuals as well as the extent of habitat in the persistence of the species at these sites), hectares. and leasehold rural land where it can be the subject of a Land Management Agreement or Conservator’s Directions. Where the species SURVEY, MONITORING AND occurs on Commonwealth land, the ACT RESEARCH Government will liaise with the Commonwealth Over the past two decades there have been Government and Canberra Airport to encourage numerous surveys in the ACT to determine the continued protection and management of S. distribution of potential habitat and the plana populations on their land. presence of S. plana populations. Some of these Larger populations on larger sites should have surveys have been extensive and involved highest priority for protection, as these are university researchers and Citizen Science expected to have the greatest chance of long- volunteers (e.g. Richter et al. 2009), though the term viability. Larger populations of the species majority of surveys have been undertaken to are considered to be those containing 500 or identify ecological constraints to proposed more adult moths that occupy habitat patches urban development. There is now a good of 50 ha or more. Medium-sized populations are understanding of the distribution of S. plana and considered in this plan to contain 200 or more its habitat in the ACT and it is unlikely any adult moths (but do not meet the criteria for a significant populations of the species remain ‘large’ population). A medium-sized population undiscovered. It is probable that smaller has the potential to be viable over the longer populations (less than 5 ha) will continue to be term if habitat quality is maintained though found, especially in good flying seasons and appropriate management. Small populations during pre-development surveys. (less than 200 adults) can still form a significant
Golden Sun Moth Action Plan 199 If Chilean Needlegrass continues to spread in at the University of Canberra. The larvae were Canberra, this may also extend the local range kept alive for nine months and then placed out of S. plana. in a new field location (Sea and Downey 2014b). As part of the Majura Parkway environmental Several key S. plana sites in the ACT are subject commitments, a methodology was developed to regular or ad-hoc population and/or habitat for harvesting Golden Sun Moth larvae and condition monitoring, with the longest and most translocating soil containing larvae directly from consistently monitored sites being York Park and a development area to translocation sites (SMEC Canberra Airport. 2016). Moths were subsequently recorded More recently, standardised monitoring of S. emerging from the translocation sites (Sea and plana is being established at sites that include Downey 2014b, SMEC 2016). Soil searches at nature reserves and offset areas, as part of the the larvae translocation site following the flight ACT Government’s management of offset areas season resulted in the recovery of live Golden under EPBC Act approval conditions (Rowell and Sun Moth larvae (SMEC 2014a), and annual Evans 2014). This monitoring includes flight surveys at the soil translocation site have quantitative surveys of flying male moths (which resulted in regular moth sightings (SMEC 2016). may be combined with searches for female Translocation of soil with Golden Sun Moth moths and pupal cases), measurement of larvae is more cost effective than individual habitat parameters and photographic records. larvae translocation, and has been repeated The long-term monitoring will include at least again in a 2016 transfer of larvae and soil 100 ha of habitat in each of the main areas of containing larvae from the new proposed occurrence (Gungahlin, Belconnen, suburb of Taylor to the nearby environmental Jerrabomberra, Majura), and sites containing offset area of Kinlyside. Natural Temperate Grassland, native pasture, Research and adaptive management is required secondary grassland and open woodland. to better understand the life history and ecology Monitoring of a range of sites provides of S. plana, habitat requirements and information on district-wide fluctuations in techniques to maintain the species’ habitat. S. plana populations, trends at particular sites Specific research priorities include: and the habitat parameters associated with • Habitat management – optimal habitat these trends. This monitoring will also provide requirements (grass species, structure, baseline information for assessment of other biomass) and techniques compatible with or sites for which data is available from only one or required to maintain habitat condition, a few seasons. Monitoring methods will need including regimes of grazing, fire, ongoing review to incorporate the results of slashing/mowing. research on S. plana ecology and habitat management, and to take account of new • Habitat creation – development of methods monitoring methods. to create S. plana habitat with the aim of Soil survey methods have been trialled by SMEC increasing available habitat and facilitating (2014b, 2015), to determine the presence of connections between fragmented Golden Sun Moth larvae outside of the flying populations (e.g. Dunlop-Jarramlee season. Whilst this method can be destructive grasslands, Canberra Airport). for larvae and habitat, it does provide • Habitat use – identify habitat characteristics information on density, age cohorts and feed that act as sources and sinks for adult moths, species, which is not necessarily achieved from to reduce threats to the breeding flight surveys. population. Males are attracted to shorter To date glasshouse and field trials undertaken areas and these can include areas where since 2010 have indicated that Golden Sun females might not be present, such as rock Moths can be translocated, but long term outcrops in tall grassy paddocks, mown areas survival in a new location is still being assessed (roadsides, median strips, fire breaks), golf by ongoing monitoring. The University of course fairways, foot tracks, recently burnt Canberra, in collaboration with the ACT areas). Government and Forde Developments Pty Ltd, • Food plants – further laboratory research is successfully translocated Golden Sun Moth needed to clarify the grass species eaten by larvae from West Macgregor into a glasshouse S. plana larvae, their relative dietary
200 Golden Sun Moth Action Plan importance and density of food plants including the often few higher leaves and seed- required to sustain populations of S. plana. bearing culms), has an intermediate density (cover) of tussocks, low weed cover and • Chilean Needlegrass – improved methods to tussocks interspersed with areas of bare ground. control or manage the spread of this invasive Management should promote a sward that has species and what role this food plant may a high proportion of known food plants, play in the conservation of the species. especially Wallaby Grasses. • Translocation – further development of Where possible, management activities should reliable translocation methods to facilitate be undertaken outside the seeding period of establishment of new populations (which major weeds, and should minimise disturbance could be within the urban open space, or and compaction of soil. The development of newly created grassy areas in large barriers within habitat areas such as areas of roundabouts, playing fields etc.), to maintain rank grass growth, dense weed patches, roads genetic integrity of small or isolated ACT and linear tree/shrub plantings should be populations. avoided.
Most grassland sites containing S. plana will MANAGEMENT require some management of herbage mass to maintain the habitat in good condition. The Habitat requirements for S. plana are generally preferred method of managing grass structure consistent with the requirements of other and biomass is grazing by native herbivores threatened grassland fauna including the (kangaroos), which are a natural fauna Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis component of native grasslands. Kangaroo pinguicolla) and the Perunga Grasshopper numbers will need to be managed on some (Perunga ochracea), which often co-occur with sites, especially during droughts, to avoid S. plana. Habitat management for these species overgrazing and loss of tussock structure. aims to keep herbage mass within a moderate range to maintain tussock structure and inter- Where kangaroo grazing may not be sufficient tussock spaces. The Striped Legless Lizard to maintain biomass within the desirable range, (Delma impar) occurs in grassland of other methods of herbage mass control may intermediate to high herbage mass/height, and need to be used, such as slashing or grazing by this threatened species may not be tolerant of stock. If stock grazing is used, light or shorter grass swards or management practices intermittent grazing is preferable, timed to (regular mowing) that are compatible with the avoid excessive trampling during the S. plana conservation of S. plana. Where the aim is to breeding period (late October to January). The conserve multiple threatened species at a site, average tussock height should not be reduced management will need to take into account any below 10 cm during grazing. Internal fencing will differing habitat requirements (see the ACT be required on some sites to allow control over Native Grassland Conservation Strategy). This grazing intensity in particular areas. On sites will most likely include maintaining or containing Chilean Needlegrass cattle are promoting a ‘patchy’ sward structure that preferred to sheep as they are less likely to contains a mosaic of habitat patches that differ transfer seed, and grazing should take place in in tussock height and/or density. Management winter or early spring where possible, before of secondary grassland or open grassy woodland the seeding period of the grass. sites containing S. plana may be problematic, as If slashing is used, tussock height should not be the natural or assisted regeneration of trees and slashed below 10 cm, and slashing should be shrubs in these areas that favour conservation minimised between November and January to of bird, mammal, reptile, insect and plant avoid the adult flying period. diversity will most likely come at the expense of S. plana’s preferred open grassland habitat. Slashing should be undertaken before November but if the grass sward is tall and Based on current knowledge of the habitat dense during the S. plana breeding season (little requirements of S. plana, management actions or no bare ground) then slashing is preferable to should aim to maintain a native grass sward that leaving a long, dense sward for the remainder of is short to medium (5 cm - 15 cm) in height (i.e. the breeding season. Machinery should be the height of the bulk of the tussock leaves, not thoroughly cleaned before entering S. plana
Golden Sun Moth Action Plan 201 sites, and after slashing on sites containing weed-dominated areas, and manage the areas Chilean Needlegrass and other significant separately as far as possible (DPI 2007). weeds. Slashing should avoid the seeding period of significant weeds where possible and should not be undertaken when the ground is wet, to IMPLEMENTATION avoid soil disturbance. Mowing machinery Implementation of this action plan and the ACT should disperse the slashed material, or if Native Grassland Conservation Strategy will windrows are produced, these should be raked require: and removed from the grassland. • Land planning and land management areas Any burning in S. plana habitat should be patchy of the ACT Government to take into account and low-intensity, and the effects on grassland the conservation of threatened species. composition and S. plana activity in subsequent years should be monitored. • Allocation of adequate resources to undertake the actions specified in the Burning should be restricted to March– strategy and action plans. September to avoid the breeding and egg- hatching period, and to allow the grassland to • Liaison with other jurisdictions (particularly start regrowing before the emergence of the NSW) and other land holders next generation of adults. Post-fire weed control (Commonwealth Government and Canberra will be necessary on some sites. International Airport) with responsibility for Weed control on S. plana sites should, as a the conservation of a threatened species or minimum, aim to eliminate woody weeds and community. control other high threat species. Preventing • Collaboration with universities, CSIRO, excessive reduction of biomass will make native Australian National Botanic Gardens and grasslands more resistant to weed invasion. The other research institutions to facilitate and strategic use of biomass control methods can undertake required research. assist in reducing seed set in some weed • species. Perennial exotic grasses such as Chilean Collaboration with non-government Needlegrass, Serrated Tussock and African organisations such as Greening Australia to Lovegrass can invade disturbed native undertake on-ground actions. grasslands. Where dense patches of these • Engagement with the community, where species have developed in or adjacent to S. relevant, to assist with monitoring and other plana habitat, they can be suppressed and on-ground actions, and to help raise contained if eradication and rehabilitation are community awareness of conservation not an option (DECCEW 2009). One method issues. suggested for containment is to poison a barrier strip, then maintain a layer of deep, seed-free mulch between the native grassland and the
202 Golden Sun Moth Action Plan OBJECTIVES, ACTIONS AND INDICATORS Table 2. Objectives, Actions and Indicators
Objective Action Indicator
1. Conserve large populations Apply formal measures to protect all All large populations in the ACT. large populations on Territory-owned protected by appropriate land. Encourage formal protection of all formal measures. Protect other ACT large populations on land owned by populations from other jurisdictions. unintended impacts (unintended impacts are Protect all medium size populations on All sites with medium those not already Territory-owned land from unintended size populations are considered through an impacts. Encourage other jurisdictions protected by appropriate environmental assessment to protect all medium size populations measures from or other statutory process). from unintended impacts. unintended impacts.
Ensure sites where small populations All sites with small occur on Territory owned land are populations are protected from unintended impacts, protected by appropriate where this contributes to broader measures from conservation aims (such as protecting unintended impacts, multiple threatened species at a site). where sites have broader Encourage other jurisdictions to conservation value. undertake similar protection of small populations.
2. Manage the species and its Monitor abundance at a representative Trends in abundance are habitat to maintain the set of sites, together with the effects of known for representative potential for evolutionary management actions. sites, management development in the wild. actions recorded.
Manage habitat to maintain its Habitat is managed suitablilty for the species, including appropriately (indicated implementing an appropriate grazing / by maintenance of an slashing / burning regime (recognising appropriate sward current imperfect knowledge). structure and herbage mass). Potential threats (e.g. weeds) are avoided or managed. Populations are apparently stable or increasing (taking into account probable seasonal/annual effects on abundance fluctuations).
3. Enhance the long-term Manage grassland adjacent to the Grassland adjacent to or viability of populations species’ habitat to increase habitat area linking habitat is through management of or habitat connectivity. If suitable managed to improve adjacent grassland to habitat exists, re-establish populations suitability for the species increase habitat area and where they have become locally (indicated by an connect populations, or to extinct. appropriate sward establish new populations. structure and plant
Golden Sun Moth Action Plan 203 Objective Action Indicator
species composition). If suitable habitat exists, research and trials have been undertaken to establish new populations.
4. Improved understanding of Undertake or facilitate research on Research undertaken and the species’ ecology, habitat habitat requirements, techniques to reported and where and threats. manage habitat, and aspects of ecology appropriate applied to directly relevant to conservation of the the conservation species. management of the species.
5. Promote a greater Undertake or facilitate stakeholder and Engagement and awareness of, and community engagement and awareness activities strengthen stakeholder and awareness activities. undertaken and community engagement in reported. the conservation of the species.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ACT Government 2016. Draft Native Grassland Conservation Strategy. (ACT Government, Alison Rowell contributed to the preparation of Canberra. this action plan and provided the photograph of Golden Sun Moths. The illustration of the AECOM 2009. Threatened Species Monitoring: species was prepared for the ACT Government Five Defence Properties in the ACT. Prepared by Sarah Reglar. for Spotless Services (AECOM Australia Pty Ltd, Canberra).
AECOM 2012. Threatened Species Monitoring REFERENCES and Management 2011-2012. Majura Training Area, ACT. Prepared for Spotless ACT Government 1998. Golden Sun Moth and Department of Defence (AECOM (Synemon plana): An endangered species. Australia Pty Ltd, Canberra). Action Plan No. 7 (Environment ACT. Canberra). AECOM 2014. 2013-2014 ACT Threatened Species Monitoring. Report prepared for ACT Government 2005. A vision splendid of the Spotless Services and Department of grassy plains extended: ACT Lowland Native Defence (AECOM Australia Pty Ltd, Grassland Conservation Strategy. Action Plan Canberra). No. 28 (Arts, Heritage and Environment, Canberra). Berry S and Roderick M 2005. Changing Australian vegetation from 1788 to 1988: ACT Government 2009. ACT weeds strategy effects of CO₂ and land-use change. 2009 - 2019 (Department of the Australian Journal of Botany 54(4): 325-338. Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water, Canberra). Biosis 2010a. Monitoring study for Golden Sun Moth Synemon plana: Macgregor West, ACT Government 2013. Jarramlee Offset Macgregor and Dunlop. Prepared for Village Management Plan (Territory and Municipal Building Company (Biosis Research Pty Ltd, Services, Canberra). Canberra).
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206 Golden Sun Moth Action Plan Parsons Brinckerhoff 2008. Natural Temperate Airport December 2006. Report to Capital Grassland and Maintenance Plan Block 3 Airport Group (Canberra). Section 22 Barton, ACT, Prepared for Rowell A 2009. Remapping of grasslands at Department of Finance (Parsons Brinckerhoff Canberra International Airport, 2008. Report Australia Pty Ltd, Canberra). to Canberra International Airport (Canberra). Richter A 2010. What makes species vulnerable Rowell A 2010. Golden Sun Moth Synemon plana to extinction following habitat fragmentation monitoring at Canberra Airport, November and degradation? A test using the insect 2009. Report to Capital Airport Group fauna in native temperate grasslands in (Canberra). South-eastern Australia. PhD thesis (Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Rowell A 2012. Block 3, Section 22 Barton ACT: Canberra). Five-year monitoring event for Golden Sun moth and condition Assessment of Natural Richter A, Osborne W, and Traugott M 2011. Temperate Grassland. Report to Department Dietary specialisation in the Golden Sun of Finance and Deregulation (Canberra). Moth Synemon plana - the key to understanding habitat requirements and site Rowell A 2015. Remapping of grasslands at rehabilitation for this critically endangered Canberra Airport, 2013-14. Report to species. Report to Biodiversity Policy and Canberra International Airport (Canberra). Programs Branch, Victorian Department of Rowell A and Bishop N 2004. Grassland mapping Sustainability and Environment (Canberra). and threatened fauna surveys. Canberra Richter A, Osborne W, Hnatiuk S and Rowell A International Airport, 2003-2004. Report to 2013. Moths in fragments: insights into the Capital Airport Group (Canberra). biology and ecology of the Australian Rowell A and Evans M 2014. Draft ACT Golden Synemon plana endangered golden sun moth Sun Moth Monitoring Plan. Draft Research (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) in natural Report, (Conservation Planning and temperate and exotic grassland remnants, Research, Environment and Sustainable Journal of Insect Conservation 17(6): 1093- Development, ACT Government, Canberra). 1104. Sea W and Downey P 2014a. Chilean needle Richter A, Osborne W, Robertson G and Hnatiuk grass and golden sun moth Macgregor West Community Monitoring of Golden S 2009. development offset project. Unpublished Sun Moths in the Australian Capital Territory report to Village Building Company (Institute Region, 2008-2009 (Institute for Applied for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra). Canberra). Richter A, Weinhold, D Robertson G, Young M, Sea W and Downey P 2014b. Golden sun moth Edwards T, Hnatiuk S and Osborne W 2012. translocation project: Phase 3 establishing More than an empty case: a non-invasive and testing field release procedures. Report technique for monitoring the Australian to the Land Development Agency (Institute critically endangered golden sun moth, for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Synemon plana (Lepidoptera: Castniidae). Canberra). Journal of Insect Conservation 17: 529-536. Sharp S 2009. Conservation Management Plans Stage 2 assessment of ecological Rowell A 2006. for sites managed by the National Capital values in Section 67 and Section 80 Deakin, Authority. Yarramundi Reach Grassland. and Section 66 Yarralumla . Report to Report to National Capital Authority (Natural National Capital Authority (Canberra). Environment Management Consulting, Rowell A 2007a. Survey and impact assessment Canberra). at Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana) site, Sharp S 2011. Distribution and abundance of Blocks 3 and 7, Section 22 Barton (York Park) . African Lovegrass in the ACT and Capital Report for Parsons Brinckerhoff and Region and options for strategic control. Department of Finance (Canberra). Report to the Southern ACT Catchment Rowell A 2007b. Golden Sun Moth Synemon Group (Canberra). plana monitoring at Canberra International
Golden Sun Moth Action Plan 207 SMEC 2014a. Arboretum Golden Sun Moth larvae retrieval. Report to ACT Parks and Conservation Service (SMEC Australia, Canberra). SMEC 2014b. ESO and EPBC Referral scoping report for SALR. Report to Economic Development Directorate (SMEC Australia, Canberra). SMEC 2015. Golden Sun Moth larvae sampling at potential bridge over Ginninderra Creek for possible Ginninderra Drive extension V2. Report to Riverview Group (SMEC Australia, Canberra). SMEC 2016. Majura Parkway Golden Sun Moth Translocation Project. Report for Roads ACT (SMEC Australia, Canberra).
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