1. MANAGING AND MONITORING THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF A NEW HIGHWAY ON SOUTHERN PINK UNDERWING MOTH, A THREATENED INSECT.
- Author
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LLOYD, P., POPPLE, L. W., and THOMSON, C. N.
- Subjects
RARE insects ,MOTHS ,ADAPTIVE natural resource management ,PINK ,EDIBLE plants - Abstract
Environmental management plans are commonly implemented to manage and monitor the potential impacts of an action on environmental values. This paper examines the results of monitoring the potential impacts of construction and operation of a new highway bypass (the project) on southern pink underwing moth Phyllodes imperialis smithersi, a threatened insect, and lessons learned through the process of implementing an adaptive Threatened Invertebrates Management Plan (TIMP) for this species. The project had no direct impact on breeding habitat but its proximity to known breeding habitat meant indirect impacts from light spill, noise, dust during construction and weeds were possible. The monitoring program in the TIMP focused on using ripe banana baits to attract adult moths at night and searching the foliage of the species' only larval food plant for egg and larval stages at both impact and control sites prior to construction, during construction and the first three years of operation of the highway. The monitoring of banana baits failed to detect any adult moths but searching larval food plants was highly effective in monitoring the abundance of eggs and larvae; the monitoring approach was therefore adjusted to focus on the latter. The monitoring found no indirect impact of the project on breeding habitat and the relative abundance of the larval stage of southern pink underwing moth. Recommendations for the design and implementation of monitoring for this species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024