Synemon laeta

Synemon laeta Walker, 1854
CASTNIIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Dave Britton & Stella Crossley

(updated 13 January 2008)

(Photo: copyright: Dave Britton)

The Caterpillars of this species differ from those of most other Synemon species in that they feed inside the culm of the foodplant at ground level, rather than on the roots underground. The only known foodplant for this species of Caterpillar is :

Spiny Headed Mat Rush ( Lomandra longifolia, XANTHORRHOEACEAE ).

Unlike most other species of Synemon the males show territorial behaviour, setting up territories around a perch (in this case a grass stem). Males chase intruding males away from the area around the perch. Immediately upon settling males briefly display part of the bright hindwing, perhaps as a signal to any potentially interested females that might be around.

The adult moths have a brown pattern on the forewings, and scarlet hindwings each with a brown marginal and submarginal arc.

This moth is common in dry open eucalypt bush on the east coast of Queensland.