Amblyptilia falcatalis

Last updated

Amblyptilia falcatalis
Amblyptilia falcatalis 60892012.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pterophoridae
Genus: Amblyptilia
Species:
A. falcatalis
Binomial name
Amblyptilia falcatalis
(Walker, 1864) [1]
Synonyms [2] [3]
  • Platyptilus falcatalisWalker, 1864
  • Platyptila falcatalisWalker, 1864
  • Platyptilia falcstalis(Walker, 1864)
  • Platyptilia haastiFelder & Rogenhofer, 1875
  • Platyptilia indubitataPhilpott, 1929

Amblyptilia falcatalis, the common Hebe plume moth, is a species of moth of the family Pterophoridae. [1] This species was first described by Francis Walker and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found in both the North and South Islands. The larval host plants are in the Veronica (also known as Hebe) genus and include Veronica stricta, Veronica salicifolia, Veronica elliptica, Veronica macrocarpa and Veronica speciosa. This moth likely has two broods a year and adults have been observed all year round.

Contents

Taxonomy

A. falcatalis male lectotype Amblyptilia falcatalis lectotype.jpg
A. falcatalis male lectotype

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1864 using specimens collected in Nelson by T. R. Oxley. [4] Walker originally named the species Platyptilus falcatalis. [4] [2] In 1875 Cajetan von Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer, thinking they were describing a new species, named it Platyptilus haasti. [5] John S. Dugdale synonymised this name with P. facatalis in 1988. [2] In 1923, thinking he was describing a new species Alfred Philpott named this species Platyptilia ferruginea. [6] However, as this name was preoccupied by Crocydoscelus ferrugineum, Philpott gave the species the new name of Platyptilia indubitata. [7] This later name was synonymised with P. falcatalis in 1928 by George Hudson. [8] Hudson would go on to discuss the larva and pupa of this species in books published in 1939 and 1950. [9] [10] In 1993 Cees Gielis placed this species within the genus Amblyptilia. [3] This placement was followed in 2010 in the New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity. [1] The lectotype specimen, collected in Nelson, is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

Larva (1939) Fig 18 MA I437915 TePapa Plate-LIV-A-supplement full (cropped).jpg
Larva (1939)
A. falcatalis on a Veronica species. Amblyptilia falcatalis 119788904.jpg
A. falcatalis on a Veronica species.

In 1939 Hudson discussed and illustrated of the larva of this species. He described the larva:

The larva, which feeds in the opening leaf and flower buds of Hebe salicifolia, is about 1 inch in length, fairly stout, slightly tapering at each end, with segments well defined; head small, greenish, mottled with brown; segment 2 with obscure ochreous dorsal plate; rest of body yellowish-green, darker on sides and under-surface; a broad, slightly irregular, deep red dorsal line from segment 3 to anal extremity; several slightly darker green subdorsal lines; warts minute, emitting short slender blackish bristles. Full-grown larvae occur at the end of October, and at the end of February, there being most likely two complete broods in the season. [9]

He again discussed the larva of this species in 1950 and also illustrated the larva as well as the pupa of this species. [10] Hudson described the specimen upon which he based his 1950 saying that the green subdorsal lines he described in 1939 were replaced by faint, broken reddish coloured lines. Hudson also stated that the larva of A. facatalis had black legs which appeared to be characteristic for this species. [10]

Hudson also described the pupa:

The length of the pupa is slightly under 1⁄2 inch (11 mm.). In form it is very like the pupa of P. aeolodes; the dorsal appendages are slightly shorter and flatter, with a small spine projecting from the extremity of each; general colour rather dull reddish-brown, a little paler on ventral surface, and faintly mottled with darker brown; an obscure paler lateral line; abdomen with four rows of conspicuous whitish warts. The pupa is suspended by the tail, with the ventral surface appressed to supporting object. [9]

Walker originally described the adult male of the species as follows:

Male. Ferruginous. Tibiae and tarsi ferruginous, with two whitish bands on each. Fore wings falcate, speckled with cinereous; a triangular black costal spot beyond two-thirds of the length, attenuated towards the disk; a pale lawn-coloured costal spot adjoining the outer side of the black spot, including a black longitudinal streak, another black streak behind the first, partly bordered by an acute angle, which is formed by the submarginal transverse whitish line; three elongated irregular blackish marks along the interior border. Length of the body 6 — 7 lines; of the wings 12—14 lines. [4]

This adult moths are very similar in appearance to A. repletalis. However A. falcatalis has a more rectangular and parallel-edged second lobe of the forewing than P. carduidactyla.

Distribution

A hill in Nelson, the type locality of this species. Centre of New Zealand, Nelson.jpg
A hill in Nelson, the type locality of this species.

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [11] It is found in both the North and South Islands. [9]

Life history and behaviour

The larvae are diurnal in their feeding habits. [12] Prior to pupation the larva will retract its head and move the anterior segments of its body in a humping action. [12] The pupa is formed by the larva after it attaches itself to a leaf or twig with a silk pad, hanging head down. [12] The pupa is peculiarly shaped and can come in two colour shades, either a yellowish, green or a darkish brown. [12] Hudson hypothesised that this species has two broods a year. [9] The adults of this species have been observed on the wing all year round but is more commonly seen in late summer and autumn. [8]

Hosts

The larval host plants of this species include Veronica stricta, Veronica salicifolia, Veronica elliptica, Veronica macrocarpa and Veronica speciosa. [13] The larvae of A. falcatalis make mines in leaves of large leaved species of Veronica and also tunnel into centre of the buds of these plants. [13]

Predators

Research undertaken prior to the introduction of Trigonospila brevifacies into New Zealand as a bio control, indicated that this species of fly uses A. falcatalis as a larval host. [14]

Related Research Articles

<i>Austrocidaria similata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Austrocidaria similata is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country including on off shore and sub Antarctic Islands. This species inhabits native forest and shrubland. Eggs are while in appearance and oval in shape and take approximately three weeks to mature. Larvae mimic the appearance of a moss covered twig and feed on Coprosma species. It has been hypothesised that this species overwinters as larvae. The larvae pupate on the ground with the pupa being enclosed in a thin cocoon made up of silk and refuse. Adults are on the wing all year but are most commonly observed from October until March. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light. During the day they can be observed resting on tree trunks where its forewing colouration provides camouflage protection from predators.

<i>Heterocrossa adreptella</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa adreptella is a moth of the Carposinidae family. This species was long considered the New Zealand raspberry budmoth however this was a taxonomic misinterpretation of the type material used to describe this species. This error was corrected in 1988 with the New Zealand raspberry budmoth giving its own species name Heterocrossa rubophaga. H. adreptella is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the Wellington Botanic Garden and been observed resting on mānuka branches.

<i>Heterocrossa gonosemana</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa gonosemana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. Larvae feed on seeds and fruit of Griselinia lucida and possibly Griselinia littoralis. They can be extremely active when disturbed. This species overwinters as a pupa, enclosed in a cocoon, underneath its host plant. Adults are on the wing from November until February and can be found during the day resting on lichen covered tree trunks where they are well camouflaged. The adult is nocturnal and is attracted to light.

<i>Amblyptilia aeolodes</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Amblyptilia aeolodes is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1902. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on the Chatham Islands, Big South Cape Island, and the subantarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands.The larvae feed on dicotyledonous herbs.

<i>Amblyptilia deprivatalis</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Amblyptilia deprivatalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species was first described by Frances Walker in 1864. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. Adults are on the wing from October to May and have an affinity to species in the genus Senecio.

<i>Amblyptilia heliastis</i> Species of plume moth

Amblyptilia heliastis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. The larvae of this species feed on Veronica species. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to February and can often be found amongst subalpine Veronica species.

<i>Amblyptilia repletalis</i> Species of plume moth

Amblyptilia repletalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country from North Cape to Bluff. The species inhabits a variety of habitats including native forest clearings, shrubland, coastal dunes and gardens. Larvae feed on the seed heads of Plantago plant species. Adults are on the wing all year round and are attracted to light.

<i>Pterophorus monospilalis</i> Species of plume moth

Pterophorus monospilalis, the white plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and occurs throughout the country. It inhabits native forest, parks and domestic gardens. Larvae are active during the day, are slow moving, and feed exposed. They feed on Araliaceae species as well as on Hedera helix, Meryta sinclairii, and Schefflera digitata. There are several broods in a year. Adult moths are on the wing from November until May and are attracted to light.

<i>Pterophorus furcatalis</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Pterophorus furcatalis, the Pittosporum plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It was first described by Frances Walker and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands. Its preferred habitat is dense native bush. Larval host plants include Pittosporum eugenioides and Pittosporum crassicaule. Adult moths are on the wing from November to March and are attracted to light.

<i>Amblyptilia lithoxesta</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Amblyptilia lithoxesta is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. This species inhabits rough herbage on mountain sides. Larvae feed on Veronica buchananii. Adults are on the wing in January.

<i>Pasiphila bilineolata</i> Species of moth

Pasiphila bilineolata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North and South Islands. The species inhabits native forest and shrubland and the larvae feed on Hebe species. Adults are on the wing commonly from August to January but have been observed most months of the year and are attracted to light.

<i>Pasiphila charybdis</i> Species of moth

Pasiphila charybdis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Epiphryne undosata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Epiphryne undosata, also known as the lacebark looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on plant species in the genera Hoheria and Plagianthus. They pupate amongst dead leaves in a silk cocoon. The adult moths have been observed on the wing all year round but are most commonly seen from November until February. The adult moths are extremely variable in both their colour intensity and wing pattern.

<i>Helastia cinerearia</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia cinerearia is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands as well as on the Mercury and Chatham Islands. The preferred habitat of H. cinerearia includes urban gardens, various types of forest and sub alpine habitats. The larval host is lichen on rocks. The adult moths are on the wing all year round but are most commonly observed from September until February. Adult moths are nocturnal and have been observed feeding from and likely pollinating Hebe salicifolia, Hoheria lyallii and Leptospermum scoparium.

<i>Glaucocharis elaina</i> Species of moth

Glaucocharis elaina is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North and South Island with the exception of the extreme south of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is lowland native forest and as adults the species is attracted to broken ground including road or rail cuttings. Larvae feed on moss species including those in the genus Funaria. This species has two distinct broods during each year. Adults are on the wing from October to April, are nocturnal and are attracted to light.

<i>Erechthias hemiclistra</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Erechthias hemiclistra is a species of moth of the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest and have an affinity for species in the genera Phormium,Cortaderia and Cordyline likely as a result of the larvae of this species feeding on dead fibre sourced from species in these genera. Adults are on the wing from September to April but are most commonly observed in December and January. Adults are attracted to light.

<i>Trachypepla conspicuella</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Trachypepla conspicuella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. It is similar in appearance to its close relative T. euryleucota but tends to be paler. Its colouration imitates bird droppings. Larvae feed on leaf litter. Adults of this species are on the wing from November to February and have been observed resting on fences and walls.

<i>Tatosoma tipulata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Tatosoma tipulata, also known as the kāmahi green spindle, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1862. It is endemic to New Zealand and occurs in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits native bush. The larvae have been recorded as feeding on Pterophylla racemosa, Nothofagus cliffortioides and Podocarpus totara. Adult moths are most commonly observed on the wing from September until March. Adults are nocturnal and are slightly attracted to light. They have also been collected via sugar traps. During the day adults can often be observed resting, camouflaged against moss and lichens, on the trunks of trees.

<i>Chrysorthenches glypharcha</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Chrysorthenches glypharcha is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1919. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest with Podocarpus trees present. The larva and pupa of this species is currently unknown but the adults are on the wing in February, October and November. The adult moths are associated with Podocarpus totara and Podocarpus laetus.

<i>Holocola zopherana</i> Species of moth

Holocola zopherana is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1881. This species is found in Australia and New Zealand. The larval hosts of this moth are Kunzea ericoides as well as species within the plant genus Leptospermum.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 463. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 133. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  3. 1 2 Cees Gielis (1993). "Generic revision of the superfamily Pterophoroidea (Lepidoptera)". Zoologische Verhandelingen . 290 (1): 76. ISSN   0024-1652. Wikidata   Q93258703.
  4. 1 2 3 Francis Walker (1864), List of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. XXX: Tineites, London, p. 931, Wikidata   Q108264250 {{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ↑ von Wüllerstorf-Urbair, Bernhard Freiherr (1864). Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. von Wüllerstorf-Urbair. Vol. 2. Wien: Kaiserlich-Königliche Hof- und Staatsdruckerei; in Commission bei K. Gerold's Sohn. p. Tab. CXL.
  6. ↑ Alfred Philpott (14 December 1923), Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera, vol. 54, p. 150, Wikidata   Q109354500
  7. ↑ Alfred Philpott (September 1928). "Notes and Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 59: 485. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q68431664.
  8. 1 2 Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 207, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 429, OCLC   9742724, Wikidata   Q109420935
  10. 1 2 3 George Vernon Hudson (1950), Fragments of New Zealand entomology. - a popular account of all New Zealand cicadas. The natural history of the New Zealand glow-worm. A second supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand and notes on many other native insects., Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 103, Wikidata   Q107693053
  11. ↑ "Amblyptilia falcatalis (Walker, 1864)". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  12. 1 2 3 4 A. V. Chappell (July 1934). "LIFE-HISTORIES OF SOME NEW ZEALAND LEPIDOPTERA, WITH NOTES ON THE MALE GENITALIA AND LARVAL CHAETOTAXY". Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London. Series B, Taxonomy. 3 (7): 165–166. doi:10.1111/J.1365-3113.1934.TB01571.X. ISSN   0375-0434. Wikidata   Q115123172.
  13. 1 2 "Amblyptilia falcatalis (Walker, 1864)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  14. ↑ "BCANZ · Biological Control Agents introduced to New Zealand". b3.net.nz. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.