Amblyptilia falcatalis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Pterophoridae |
Genus: | Amblyptilia |
Species: | A. falcatalis |
Binomial name | |
Amblyptilia falcatalis | |
Synonyms [2] [3] | |
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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.
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]
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.
This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [11] It is found in both the North and South Islands. [9]
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]
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]
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]
Asterivora combinatana is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed at locations in both the North and South Islands. The larvae feed on Senecio bellidioides and Brachyglottis repanda either from within a silken gallery or alternatively a silken curtain under which they feed. It is double brooded with adults being on the wing from September until November and again from February until April. This species is a day flying moth. It is extremely variable both in colouration and in size. The female tends to be larger and paler than the male of the species.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amblyptilia epotis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South and Stewart Islands. It inhabits mountainous terrain covered in alpine vegetation or alternatively alpine wetland habitat. The adults of this species are on the wing from February to March. In appearance the adults of this species are variable in colour however this species can be distinguished from similar species by the oblique apical streak on its forewings as well as the patch of white on the costa cilia towards the apex of the forewing.
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.
Pasiphila charybdis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is 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.
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.
Agriophara colligatella, also known as the Olearia Skeletoniser, is a moth of the family Depressariidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native scrub. Larvae feed on the leaves of species in the genus Olearia during the months of November and December. They then pupate amongst the old flowers and leaves of their host plant. Adults have been observed on the wing from August to September but are most common in January. It has been hypothesised that this species overwinters as an adult as it has been observed on the wing in late autumn and early winter. Adults are attracted to light.
Reductoderces cawthronella is a moth of the Psychidae family. It was described by Alfred Philpott in 1921 and named in honour of the Cawthron Institute. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Nelson on the Maitai Valley side of the Botanical Hill. The larvae inhabits a fragile, pear shaped case and it has been hypothesised that they are lichen or alga browsers. Larvae pupate at the end of June and adults emerge at the beginning of August until the middle of October.
Tingena is a genus of the concealer moth family (Oecophoridae). This genus is endemic to New Zealand.
Physetica temperata is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found in the North Island and the top of the South Island in coastal areas. P. temperata is unlikely to be confused with other species in its range, even though it is not distinctively patterned. It is possible that males might be confused with males of P. homoscia but this latter species is much larger. P. temperata can be distinguished from P. caerulea as the former species has forewing veins that are marked black and a chequered forewing fringe. The adults of this species are on the wing from September to March. The life history of this species has not been well documented although it is thought that larval host species is Ozothamnus leptophyllus.
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.
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.
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.