SPECIES: Synemon plana — Golden Sun Moth
CLASSIFICATION: Critically endangered
A moth that flies in the day? Meet the critically endangered Golden Sun Moth; a diurnal moth. Life for this moth consists of a larval stage (lasting 2-3 years), followed by the adult stage (1-4 days). As is the case with many different species across the board, the female is brighly coloured while the male is the duller of the pair. The female is, however, a bad flyer! And so, she mostly walks. Or could it possibly be that by walking, it is easier for males to spot her beautiful orange colouring as he flies overhead? Clever. The Golden Sun Moth's preferred habitat is grasslands with minimal shading. Threats include desctruction of habitat, fire and predation.