Synemon parthenoides parthenoides males
from Adelaide in open-wing posture
Synemon parthenoides parthenoides male from Adelaide in closed-wing 'tent' posture; sitting on hostplant flower head L. carphoides
Coupled Synemon parthenoides valma adults, female on right, in typical closed-wing posture
Coupled Synemon parthenoides valma adults, female on top, in open-wing posture
Adelaide Hills woodland habitat for
Synemon parthenoides parthenoides
with an abundance of its larva host plant Lepidosperma carphoides and adult
nectaring plant Calytrix tetragona
Yorke Peninsula woodland habitat for Synemon parthenoides valma with an abundance of its larva host plant Lepidosperma congestum (in foreground)
Synemon parthenoides valma female resting on flower-head of hostplant Lepidosperma congestum
Hostplant Lepidosperma carphoides (in Adelaide Hills) that has had its central part killed by larvae of Synemon parthenoides parthenoides
Hostplants Lepidosperma carphoides (in Adelaide Hills) that have had their central parts killed by larvae of Synemon parthenoides parthenoides. Newly emerged adults have left behind their exuviae protruding from the cocoons in the central area of the hostplants; one exuvia in left image, four exuviae in right image (with 3 more either hidden or outside the perimeter of the hostplant).
Synemon parthenoides parthenoides unhatched and hatched eggs 2.4 mm,
and newly emerged larvae 4 mm
Synemon parthenoides parthenoides larva emerging from egg (2.4 mm),
showing mouthparts used to chew and open up the egg, 10-13 longitudinal ridges.
The pointed mouthpart is the silk spinneret.
Top larva is immature 12 mm, late 2nd instar
Other larvae are mature 5th instar 30 mm;
the pink larva (upper one) is 2 years old;
the orange-red larva (bottom two) is 3 years old
that has remained dormant in the soil for a year.
Closeup of mature pink larva showing the head and large front prothoracic plate used for burrowing
Male exuvia (empty pupa/chrysalis) 23 mm (on left);
on right is empty silk cocoon 7 cm, with the exuvia protruding from its end.
Latter cocoon is normally constructed upright in the ground with
the top of the sealed cocoon at ground level.
Not all larvae living underground in the Synemon parthenoides habitat
are friendly; they can include the larva of the giant robber fly (Asilinae) (exuviae shown above),
which was near to the Synemon parthenoides parthenoides exuviae.
The whole part of this insect implies death, with a very spiny pupa/exuvia (30 mm) and a very
imposing, very large flying adult as a likely formidible predator of the sun-moths.
Side view of
male genitalia
A skewed side view of male genitalia for Synemon parthenoides parthenoides from the Southeast Region, showing the unusual cross-brace (lower right) separating the vertical vinculum arms and a bifurcate saccus, typical for Synemon.
All photography by R. Grund unless stated otherwise.
