The control of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) is a key component of many fauna recovery programs in Australia. A question crucial to the success of these programs is how fox control influences feral cat abundance and subsequently affects predation upon native fauna. Historically, this question has been difficult to address because invasive predators are typically challenging to monitor. Here, non-invasive DNA analysis was used to determine the fate of radio-collared woylies (Bettongia penicillata) in two reserves in a mesic environment where foxes had been controlled intensively for over two decades. Woylie trap success had increased more than 20-fold after fox baiting commenced in the 1980s but decreased precipitously in 2000. Ninety-eight monitored woylies were killed between 2006 and 2009. DNA analysis of swabs taken from radio-collars and carcasses of these woylies indicated that predation by cats (Felis catus) caused most mortalities (65%) and was three times the fox predation rate (21%). Also, indices of cat abundance were higher in fox-baited sites where foxes were less abundant. Predation on woylies by cats was greater than previously recognised and, by implication, may significantly reduce the effectiveness of fox control programs throughout Australia. Integrated fox and cat control is essential to ensure the success of fauna recovery programs.

Summary European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) baiting with 1080 poison (sodium fluoroacetate) is undertaken in many Australian sites to reduce fox abundance and to protect vulnerable native species from predation. The longest continuous use of fox baiting for fauna conservation commenced in south‐west Western Australia in the 1980s and includes baiting Dryandra Woodland and Tutanning Nature Reserve. The trap success of the Woylie (Bettongia penicillata) in these two reserves initially increased more than 20‐fold after the commencement of baiting and was maintained until 2000. Woylie captures then decreased rapidly, despite ongoing fox baiting, so the long‐term efficacy of 1080 baiting was questioned. Here, fox density and probabilities of detection, re‐detection and survival between replicated baited and unbaited sites were compared by modelling capture–recapture of individual foxes. These were identified from microsatellite DNA genotypes obtained non‐invasively from hair, scat and saliva samples. The frequency and duration of fox residencies were also quantified. Remote cameras were used to determine the fate of baits but uptake by foxes was low, whereas nontarget species' bait uptake was high. Nevertheless, foxes inhabiting baited reserves had significantly higher mortality, shorter residency times, and 80% lower density than foxes inhabiting unbaited reserves. Baiting continues to significantly reduce fox abundance after more than 25 years of continuous use. This has positive implications for fox control programmes throughout Australia but reduced fox abundance may facilitate increased predation by feral Cats (Felis catus).

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A mark-release-recapture methodology designed for monitoring the graceful sunmoth Synemon gratiosa Westwood is described. Because of the sun-moth's small size and fragility, traditional marking methods were found to be inappropriate. To enable marks to be applied and minimise handling, individual sun-moths were temporarily immobilised using either ethyl acetate or by cooling. A series of 1-3 dots were then placed on the forewing(s) using metallic ink permanent marker pens. By varying the location and colour of the dots, up to 232 individuals could be given unique marks. The use of ethyl acetate resulted in several deaths and had a large effect on recapture rate and apparent survival. However, the cooling method resulted in no detectable effect of marking on subsequent survival. The method is suitable for small or fragile Lepidoptera and other insects.

In this study, we designate lectotypes and fix the identities of two Australian Castniidae species, Synemon sophia (White, 1841), the type species of Synemon Doubleday, 1846, and Synemon parthenoides R. Felder, 1874. Furthermore, we describe seven new species of Castniidae from Western Australia, two new species of the Synemon sophia group, Synemon anthracica Kallies & Edwards sp. n. and Synemon crocea Kallies & Edwards sp. n., three species in the Synemon magnifica Strand, 1911 group, Synemon semaphora Kallies & Edwards sp. n., Synemon angustiptera Kallies & Edwards sp. n. and Synemon petrophila Kallies & Edwards sp. n., one new species of unclear affinity, Synemon cacumina Kallies & Edwards sp. n., and one new species related to Synemon directa Westwood, 1877, Synemon victoriae Kallies & Edwards sp. n. We report Restionaceae, a host-plant family not previously recorded for Castniidae.