Sun moth (Castniidae) Caterpillars feed on the roots of various types of grass and sedge. The moths are unusual as they fly during daylight hours, and have clubbed antennae like butterflies; there are about 24 Australian species (lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/cast/castniidae.html) Phylum: Arthropoda (arthropods, Gliederfer)Subphylum: Hexapoda BLAINVILLE, 1816Class: Insecta (insects, Insekten)Subclass: Pterygota (Fluginsekten)Infraclass: Neoptera MARTYNOV, 1923Order: Lepidoptera LINNAEUS, 1758 (butterflies & moths, Schmetterlinge)Suborder: GlossataInfraorder: HeteroneuraSuperfamily: Sesioidea BOISDUVAL, 1828 (relatives of Clearwing moths, Glasflglerartige)Family: Castniidae BOISDUVAL, 1828 (sun moth)Subfamily: Castniinae BOISDUVAL, 1828Genus: Synemon DOUBLEDAY, 1846[det. speech path girl, 2013, based on this photo]SW-Australia: Stirling Range, 12.11.2010IMG_7192
Summary[edit] Description: Español: Castnia psittachus, mariposa del Chagual entre algunos ejemplares de Puya venusta en la localidad de Los Molles, Región de Valparaíso, Chile. Date: 28 December 2013, 15:12:01. Source: Own work. Author: Yastay.
Summary[edit] Description: This is the first year we have had Synemon sp. Perth visiting our home garden. Normally we find them in nature reserves feeding on native plants. Photos: Fred 15 Dec 2015 Extra information: Sunmoths are a day flying moth and can be seen during the day between 10am and 3pm depending upon the temperature (>18C) and if the sun is shining. When the clouds come over, they seem to disappear. When they land, they first land with their wings in the upright position, imitating a butterfly then bring them down covering the bright colours of the underwings. The sunmoths will often sit with their wings open to absorb the sunshine to give them energy or they will 'tent' their wings making them very difficult to see and blend into their background. The males choose a prominent territory which is generally a sunny place where the females will come to bask themselves. The males can be seen fighting other males entering their territory. They fly spiraling upward and crashing into each other. One then concedes defeat and flies away. More sunmoth photos Explore: 14 Dec 2015 #156. Date: Taken on 17 November 2015, 11:20. Source: Sun moth. Author: Jean and Fred from Perth, Australia. Flickr tagsgarden sun-moth fred, synemon sp perth, sun-moth, lepidoptera, garden, swanview, western australia, synemon, moth.
One of the day flying colourful sun-moths. This is feeding from Hakea ruscifolia, a shrub that usually flowers during December and January. Photos: Jean and Fred
Summary[edit] Description: English: Original lithograph delicately printed in colour by Wyman and Sons Ltd for “A Handbook to the Order Lepidoptera” by W.F. Kirby , Assistant in the Zoological Department of the British Museum. Published in London by Edward Lloyd circa 1897 for “Lloyd's Natural History. Size of print is 7 x 4.5 inches or 18 x 12cm. Date: 1897. Source: http://www.antiqueprintclub.com/p-1834-moths-castnia-eudesmia-lepidoptera-antique-print-c1897.aspx. Author: Edward Lloyd.
Family: CastniidaeSynemon directa A large showy species only seen in Dec/January. The larvae are said to feed on the roots of the big sword sedge (Lepidosperma gladiatum) and the moth is usually seen in areas where this occurs (often creeklines, but also coastal areas)Butterfly feeding on Hakea ruscifolia flowers.Base of rock off Old Bibbulmun track.
Summary[edit] Description: This Castnia is quite common in Tingo-Maria. Date: 13 August 2008, 17:01. Source: Telchin licus licus. Author: yakovlev.alexey from Moscow, Russia.
Summary[edit] Description: Español: Castnia psittachus en Puya alpestris ssp zoellnerii en Cuesta Chacabuco, Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Chile. Date: 28 September 2013, 13:19:49. Source: Own work. Author: Yastay.