Golden Sun Moth

Last of the great Golden Sun Moth surveys?

A female golden sun moth

After initiatiating and refining community surveys of Golden Sun Moths, the Friends of Merri Creek has participated in perhaps the last of these surveys in December 2006.

On the first survey (3/12/06) of these critically endangered moths, the weather was overcast, cool and windy, all factors that were known to be unfavourable to the very fussy moths. Consequently, MCMC Technical Officer, Brian Bainbridge conducted a tour of Craigieburn Grasslands for the 18 participants, including a number of conservation professionals, and there was no shortage of animated conversation. Despite the weather, we managed to see some moths and we were incredibly lucky to find a pair actually mating. We also saw a young Echidna and listened to a chorus of Growling Grass Frogs from the Merri Creek.

On the second survey (17/12/06), conditions were perfect for the moths as it was hot and sunny with little wind. So 19 expectant people formed a line of about 100 metres and marched up the grasslands for two kilometres, coordinated by the MCMC’s Ben North. However, we only counted 53 moths, hardly comparable to the 2005 score of over 800. Brian Bainbridge suggested that this may be due to the season having more favourable days earlier, so that most of the moths had already emerged and we were seeing the last remaining few.

Since 2006, no community surveys have been scheduled and advice will be sought from experts to determine the value of conducting similar or modified surveys in future years. Brian Bainbridge said: “The dedication of FOMC and others to make these unique surveys happen has been extraordinary. Opportunities to harness the community’s enthusiasm for fauna monitoring will certainly be considered in future projects.”

The two 2006 surveys were organised by Merri Creek Management Committee, with FoMC, Parks Victoria and LaTrobe University, to assess the extent of the moth population.