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Pink Underwing Moth (Phyllodes imperialis smithersi)

The Southern Pink Underwing Moth occurs in north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. It depends on Carronia vine in subtropical rainforest, so rainforest patches containing the vine are important to retain where works are planned.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

In New South Wales, the peak breeding season is October to April, with larvae recorded from late October to early April.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Breeding season: In New South Wales, the peak breeding season is October to April, with larvae recorded from late October to early April.

Identification: Appearance

The adult can have a wingspan of up to 16 cm, with broad, leaf-like brown forewings and bright pink patches on the hindwings. At rest, its closed wings resemble a dead leaf.

The adult can have a wingspan of up to 16 cm, with broad, leaf-like brown forewings and bright pink patches on the hindwings. At rest, its closed wings resemble a dead leaf.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

In New South Wales, it occurs in the Northern Rivers and the disjunct Bellinger-Orara region. In south-eastern Queensland, it occurs south from Nambour.

In New South Wales, it occurs in the Northern Rivers and the disjunct Bellinger-Orara region. In south-eastern Queensland, it occurs south from Nambour.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

It inhabits subtropical rainforest, including low-light understorey areas where Carronia vine grows. Larvae have been recorded 5 to 790 m above sea level, often on younger vine leaves.

It inhabits subtropical rainforest, including low-light understorey areas where Carronia vine grows. Larvae have been recorded 5 to 790 m above sea level, often on younger vine leaves.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Larvae feed on Carronia multisepalea, their sole known foodplant. Adults feed on fruits of native rainforest plants.

Larvae feed on Carronia multisepalea, their sole known foodplant. Adults feed on fruits of native rainforest plants.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Adults use collapsed Carronia vine shrubs as breeding habitat, and larvae feed on the vine’s leaves. The larvae are often found on vine stems in the understorey.

Adults use collapsed Carronia vine shrubs as breeding habitat, and larvae feed on the vine’s leaves. The larvae are often found on vine stems in the understorey.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

During daylight, adults rest motionless with their wings closed, resembling a dead leaf.

During daylight, adults rest motionless with their wings closed, resembling a dead leaf.

Threats: Threats

Removal and fragmentation of rainforest patches containing Carronia vine can reduce the moth’s food and breeding habitat. Weed invasion is also identified as a threat to rainforest remnants used by the moth.

Removal and fragmentation of rainforest patches containing Carronia vine can reduce the moth’s food and breeding habitat. Weed invasion is also identified as a threat to rainforest remnants used by the moth.

Threats: Works risk

Clearing or construction that removes or fragments Carronia-containing rainforest can remove the moth’s larval foodplant and breeding habitat. Works that contribute to weed invasion in rainforest remnants may also affect habitat used by the moth.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

Search Carronia vines for larvae, including on vine stems in the understorey; surveys have been conducted in autumn. Larvae are more readily found than adults during the warmer months.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the on-ground surveys and data for referred actions under the EPBC Act, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations: Rainforest or vine thicket

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

It inhabits subtropical rainforest, including low-light understorey areas where Carronia vine grows.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: NSW, QLD.

Habitat use: general

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Design the footprint, timing and access to avoid known or likely habitat, and brief crews on what to look for and who to call.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Fence or mark habitat to be retained and keep machinery, stockpiles and spoil out of it.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Reinstate disturbed ground with local species, return logs, rocks and litter, and control weeds and erosion until the site is stable.

Sources