Adeixis griseata | |
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Female specimen | |
Male specimen | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Geometridae |
Genus: | Adeixis |
Species: | A. griseata |
Binomial name | |
Adeixis griseata | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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Adeixis griseata (also known as the swamp looper) is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. [2] It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the North, South and Chatham Islands. This species inhabits poorly drained or swampy areas. As at 2017 the host plant of this species is unknown however it has been hypothesised that the host plant may be Schoenus brevifolius or another common sedge. Adults have been observed on the wing from October until January.
This species was first described by George Vernon Hudson in 1903 from a specimen collected by Alfred Philpott at Seaward Moss in Southland and named Dichromodes griseata. [3] There was some debate between taxonomists as to whether this species was distinct from the Australian species Adeixis inostentata. [2] However, in 1920, after comparing specimens of both species, Philpott concluded it was distinct enough to be regarded as its own species. [4] [2] Louis B. Prout placed this species within the genus Adeixis in 1910. [5] The syntype specimens are not held in Te Papa but J. S. Dugdale hypothesised that one of the syntypes may be held at the Natural History Museum, London under the species name Paragyrtis inostentata (now known as Adeixis inostentata). [2] In 2019 the molecular phylogeny of this species was studied. [6]
The forewings of A. griseata are silver grey in colour with a small disk-shaped dot as well as with dark brown or blackish triangular shaped shading from the middle of the base of the forewing to its apex and a much smaller brown triangular shaped shading below this. The hind-wings are grey coloured tinged with yellow brown. [7] When at rest its body position tends to be head downward. [8] Hudson regarded this species as being extremely variable in the intensity of its markings and the depth of its colouring. [7]
Specimens have been collected not only at the type locality of Seaward Downs but also in other locations in the South Island such as Lake Manapouri, [4] [9] as well as localities in the North Island such as in Whangarei, [10] Waimarino, Raetihi, Ohakuni and Kaitoki. [7] A. griseata has also been found on the Chatham Islands. [7]
The adults of this species have been observed on the wing from October to January. [11]
Adeixis griseata tends to inhabit poorly drained or swampy areas with sedges, rushes, Gleichenia , and native shrubs such as Pittosporum and Coprosma . [12] However as at 2017 the host plants of A. griseata is unknown. [13] It has been hypothesised that the host plant may be Schoenus brevifolius or another common sedge. [14]
Sabatinca caustica is a species of moth belonging to the family Micropterigidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1912. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both Southland and at Stewart Island / Rakiura. The adults of this species are variable in appearance with some specimens being mainly white on their forewings while others have forewings that are a more mottled purple-brown colour. Adults are on the wing from the start of October until the middle of December. Larvae feed on the surface of leafy liverworts.
Asterivora analoga is a moth of the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. Adults are on the wing in December and January.
Batrachedra eucola is a species of moth in the family Batrachedridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found both the North and South Islands. This species frequents scrubland habitat and is on the wing in January and February. B. eucola can be easily distinguished from its close relatives as it larger in size, has a pronounced palpi tuft and has full neuration of its hindwings.
Paramorpha marginata is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the northern parts of the North Island. It has been observed in the canopy of kanuka forest and has been collected and reared from leaf litter beneath Leucopogon fasciculatus. It is regarded as a rarely recorded species.
Isonomeutis restincta, the marbled snouter, is a species of moth in the family Copromorphidae. It is endemic to New Zealand where it is likely found in the northern parts of the North Island. Not much is known of the life history of this species but it has been hypothesised that it is a scale insect predator. The adults of this species are on the wing from November to January. This species has been classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Glyphipterix necopina is a species of sedge moth in the genus Glyphipterix. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.
Pasiphila acompsa is a moth in the family Geometridae. It was described by Louis Beethoven Prout in 1927. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in mountainous locations in both the North and South Islands. Larvae of this species have been reared on plants within the Veronica genus. Adults are on the wing from December to February.
Reductoderces microphanes is a moth of the family Psychidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. R. microphanes is a bagworm moth and its larvae likely feed on lichen or algae. Historically there has been some confusion over the identification of this species with George Hudson mistakenly describing and illustrating unnamed species and then attributing those descriptions and illustrations to this species. Charles Edwin Clarke discussed this species stating that it and its close relatives were active and able to be collected in damp mists before sunrise.
Gadira leucophthalma, the beaked moss moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the south eastern side of the South Island down to Banks Peninsula. G. leucophthalma inhabits the foredunes of coastal areas. The larval host is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larvae feed on moss. The adult moths are day flying although some specimens have been trapped at night via light traps. Adults are commonly on the wing from March to April. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.
Aponotoreas synclinalis is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Asaphodes adonis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It is found in native forest at altitudes of between 300 and 1200 metres. Larvae have been reared on species of Ranunculus. Adults are on the wing in January and February.
Asaphodes albalineata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed on Stewart Island / Rakiura. This species is similar in appearance to Asaphodes oraria but can be distinguished as it has an unusual pattern on the underside of its hindwings. It inhabits open hill tops and adults are on the wing in December.
Asaphodes aphelias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Fiordland. This species inhabits damp native scrub and has been observed in upland wetlands at altitudes of between 800 and 1100 m. Adults are on the wing in February but the female of this species is unusual as it has narrow fore and hind wings.
Xanthorhoe bulbulata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.
Tinea belonota is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as not threatened by the Department of Conservation.
Asaphodes imperfecta is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern part of the South Island. The species inhabits low lying swampy native forest. The host plants of the larvae of this species is unknown. The adults are on the wing in December and January. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.
Austrocidaria arenosa is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation.
Dasyuris octans is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Asaphodes oraria is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern South Island and on Stewart Island / Rakiura. The male is pale yellow coloured and the female has severely reduced wings and is flightless. The habitat of this species is tussock grasslands on coastal sand dunes and in the mountains at elevations of approximately 4,000ft. The larvae have adapted to feeding on exotic lawn daisy species in the genus Bellis. The adults of this species are on the wing from November to April.
Asaphodes recta is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern parts of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is open tussock grassland. The adults are on the wing in February and March. Larvae of this species have been reared on species in the genera Ranunculus and Bellis.