Synemon (commonly known as the Sun-moths) is a genus of moths within the family Castniidae. Edward Doubleday described it in 1846. The genus contains 24 described and 20 undescribed species. These species are found across mainland Australia and on Kangaroo Island, with the highest diversity in Western Australia. Synemon species can be found in a range of habitats, including woodlands, heathlands and native perennial grasslands. The adults fly during the daytime in warm to hot weather. They have clubbed antennae, and are often mistaken for butterflies.
Sun-moths typically have dull coloured forewings which, at rest, conceal their brightly coloured hindwings. They can use their hindwings to startle potential predators. All known larvae of sun-moths feed on monocotyledonous plants, such as Rytidosperma, Gahnia, Lepidosperma and Lomandra. Since European settlement, many species have suffered drastic reductions in their distributions due to habitat loss from agriculture and other threats. Some are listed as threatened, including Synemon plana, which is listed as critically endangered under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Species The genus includes the following species:
Synemon austera Meyrick, 1891 Synemon brontias Meyrick, 1891 Synemon catocaloides Walker, 1865 Synemon collecta Swinhoe, 1892 Synemon directa Westwood, 1877 Synemon discalis Strand, 1911 Synemon gratiosa Westwood, 1877 Synemon heliopis Meyrick, 1891 Synemon jcaria R. Felder, 1874 Synemon laeta Walker, 1854 Synemon leucospila Meyrick, 1891 Synemon magnifica Strand, 1911 Synemon maja Strand, 1911 Synemon nais Klug, 1850 Synemon notha Westwood, 1877 Synemon nupta Westwood, 1877 Synemon obscurella Westwood, 1877 Synemon parthenoides R. Felder, 1874 Synemon phaeoptila Turner, 1906 Synemon plana Walker, 1854 Synemon selene Klug, 1850 Synemon sophia (White, 1841) Synemon theresa Doubleday, 1846 Synemon wulwulam Angel, 1951
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