In the pouring rain Don Sands rummaged through foliage on the Cooloola coast forest floor in Queensland, searching for an elusive moth species that had not been seen for more than 40 years.

Key points: A retired CSIRO scientist has found a specimen of a moth assumed to be extinct

A retired CSIRO scientist has found a specimen of a moth assumed to be extinct The species is 200 million years old, and was last seen 40 years ago

The species is 200 million years old, and was last seen 40 years ago The rediscovery came amid a 'bioblitz' in the Cooloola area, which is known for its biodiversity

The lineage of Agathiphaga Queenslandensis, or the kauri moth, can be traced back more than 200 million years, and its genetics are thought to hold valuable information about evolution.

The CSIRO had conducted searches for the species in southern Queensland since the 1970s without success — but inside the seeds of the native kauri pine, Dr Sands, a retired principal research scientist at the CSIRO, made a thrilling find.

"We assumed it had gone extinct … because it was known to only occur in the seeds of these very old kauri pines [which had been extensively logged]," Dr Sands said.

"That tree was one of the targets because of the immense value of timber.

"It's one of the most exciting rediscoveries I've ever been involved in in my life."

Sifting through the seeds of history

At home in Brisbane, Dr Sands studied more than 100 seeds to find what he described as a "major win" for invertebrates.

"I [took] a bundle of soaking seeds home, I put them under the microscope, and I went through until I got to about 20, and I found this tiny little blob that was white when I exposed the side of the seed," he said.

The kauri moth breeds inside the seeds of the kauri pine, which is native to the Cooloola Coast. ( Supplied: Maria Miller, Fraser Island Defenders Organisation )

The larvae of the kauri moth can lay dormant for up to 12 years, and Dr Sands said only a handful of the specimen had been collected.

The new find is expected to provide a significant amount of information about the primitive insects.

"[It's of] enormous importance finding insects like this, because if we lose them they're gone forever," Dr Sands said.

"They're carrying with them the history of the evolution of our plants and insects."

The family tree

Scientists at the CSIRO's Australian National Insect Collection were able to confirm the identity of the kauri moth through genetic testing.

"We extracted the DNA from the specimen and then sequenced [it] … and compared that to existing sequences in our collection," Andreas Zwick said.

Only a handful of kauri moth specimens are available in the Australian National Insect Collection. ( Supplied: Len Willan, CSIRO 1969 )

Dr Zwick said despite the species being a sister to almost all other moths and butterflies, very little is known about the native kauri moth.

"[It's] of particular interest for sequencing as it such an old lineage and we only have old collection material," he said.

"So having found this moth again allows us to sequence the genomes … it's interesting from an evolutionary perspective."

Dr Sands said he hoped further studies of the moth would identify what role the insect plays in the ecosystem.

"A lot of people don't understand that the extinction of insects leads to the extinction of animals and plants, and has a big impact on human beings," he said.

Bioblitz uncovers dozens of new species

The moth was discovered during a citizen science 'bioblitz' program run by Cooloola Coastcare and the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation.

An army of more than 100 people from across Australia, including scientists and researchers, attended the organisations' event in May, where they catalogued the plants and animals of the Great Sandy Marine Park.

Organiser Lindy Orwin said the discovery of the moth, alongside more than 25 new spider species, highlighted the importance of protecting the native fauna and flora.

"It reinforces how special this area is and why it should be protected," Dr Orwin said.

"It's important for us to know as much as we can about it, to protect it.

"The whole area is significant to the world, but there's not enough science going on.

"We've tried to rally a group of interested scientists and then a group of the public so we can actually conduct more studies of the animals, plants and fungi in the area.

"So, for example, if someone wanted to start a coal mine or build a resort, they can look at the registered animals and plants."

More than 100 participants joined the bioblitz to catalogue the flora and fauna of the region. ( Supplied: Mark Crocker )

Region rich with biodiversity

Spider expert Robert Whyte has been involved in the bioblitz for years.

He said the region is a biodiversity hotspot with many undiscovered species.

"The more people looking the more you find," Mr Whyte said.

Mr Whyte said citizen science groups were vital for continuing scientific studies.

"It flows back to the participants, [and kids especially] get turned onto science and find things that they'd never imagined because they're looking with the help of top scientists," he said.