Arctesthes siris

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Arctesthes siris
Arctesthes siris male.jpg
Male
Arctesthes siris Female (cropped).jpg
Female
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Arctesthes
Species:
A. siris
Binomial name
Arctesthes siris
(Hudson, 1908) [1]
Range maps of Arctesthes avatar, siris & titanica (cropped).jpg
A. siris = black circles
Synonyms [1]
  • Lythria sirisHudson, 1908

Arctesthes siris is a moth of the family Geometridae. [2] It is endemic to New Zealand and has only been found in a handful of mountainous areas in Central Otago. As at 2019 the larvae of this species has not been described but the larval hosts of this species are low growing plants in the genera Coprosma and Plantago. Adults are day flying and are on the wing from early December until mid April. This species inhabits mountainous wetland areas and snowbanks. It has been observed flying low over its preferred habitat and has been seen together with its sister species A. catapyrrha. A. siris can be distinguished from A. catapyrrha as A. siris has a noticeable concave curve in the proximal line of its forewing.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by George Vernon Hudson in 1908 under the name Lythria siris. [3] He based his description on specimens discovered by J. H. Lewis at approximately 1200 metres in altitude in the Old Man Range of Central Otago. [3] In 1928 Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under that name in his publication The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [4] In 1939 Louis Beethoven Prout placed this species in the genus Arctesthes. [5] In 1986 R. C. Craw agreed with this reinstatement the genus and the placement of this species within it. [6] This placement was accepted by John S. Dugdale in 1988. [2] The species was redescribed in 2019. [7] The lectotype specimen is held at Te Papa. [2]

Description

Male lectotype specimen Arctesthes siris lectotype.jpg
Male lectotype specimen

Hudson described this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is a little over 5⁄8 in. The forewings are slaty-grey, with light reddish-brown, black, and pale-yellowish markings ; there is a very small grey area at the base, followed by a wavy transverse reddish-brown band ; next two yellowish-white bands enclosing a very narrow yellowish-brown area ; then a strongly waved whitish line, followed by a narrow black line and a broad reddish-brown line ; the central area is broad, slaty - grey, with a reddish-brown discal dot ; this is followed by an extremely sharply angulated series of lines, consisting of a narrow reddish-brown line, a narrow black line, a narrow yellowish-white line, and a shaded orange-brown line ; the termen is shaded with dark-brown with a very fine, wavy, whitish line and a series of small reddish-brown spots. The hindwings are golden-yellow, the basal and terminal portions broadly clouded with black, and a very wavy central black line. The cilia of all the wings are brownish-grey. The female is paler, and much less distinctly marked than the male. [3]

A. siris is smaller than its sister species A. catapyrrha and can be distinguished as A. siris has a noticeable concave curve in the proximal line of its forewing. [7]

Distribution and habitat

Observation of live moth Arctesthes siris 260098315.jpg
Observation of live moth

A. siris is endemic to New Zealand. [6] [7] This species is only found in alpine areas of Otago where it prefers wetland areas [8] and snow banks. [9] It has been observed at altitudes of 1300 – 1500 metres. [9] The species has been recorded in the Lammermoor Range, [10] on the Garvie Mountains, the Old Man and Old Woman ranges and the Rock and Pillar ranges. [11]

Behaviour and life stages

A. siris is a day flying moth and are low flying. [8] Adults have been observed on the wing from early December until mid April. [7] As at 2019 the larvae of this species has not been described.

Host species

Likely host species P. lanigera observed near the Old Man Range Plantago lanigera 64267214.jpeg
Likely host species P. lanigera observed near the Old Man Range

The host species for A. siris include mat-forming Coprosma species as well as low growing species in the genus Plantago . [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cephalissa</i> Genus of moths

Cephalissa is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae. Its only species, Cephalissa siria, the orange triangle moth, is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. It has suffered a contraction of its range, no longer being seen in Dunedin or Invercargill. It is currently found in the Mt Watkin Scenic Reserve, in eastern Otago, in the Rongahere Gorge and in the Dansey Ecological District. C. siria is known to inhabit kahikatea forest amongst Carex species as well as short tussock grasslands and shrubland. The larval host plant is Fuchsia perscandens. Adult moths are on the wing in October and November.

<i>Arctesthes catapyrrha</i> Species of moth

Arctesthes catapyrrha is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Ichneutica averilla</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica averilla is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in the North Island at Mount Taranaki but is widespread throughout the South Island and Stewart Island. It prefers mountainous habitat but can be found down to sea level in the southern parts of the South Island. Adults of the species are on the wing between November and March. Larvae likely exist on a variety of herbaceous plants but have been recorded as feeding on species within the genus Plantago. This species is sometimes confused with I. mutas but can be distinguished from the latter on the basis of forewing colour as well as the absence of or an indistinct antemedian forewing line.

<i>Helastia angusta</i> Species of moth

Helastia angusta is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Mackenzie and Otago Lakes districts of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is montane areas. Adults have been observed on the wing from October until December. As at 2000, the larval host species is unknown. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Paranotoreas fulva</i> Species of moth

Paranotoreas fulva is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern half of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species are the salt pans of Otago, the mountainous grassland areas in South Canterbury and Otago and the glacial outwash terraces south of Tekapo. The larvae feed on Atriplex buchananii and Plantago coronopus. Adults are day flying and have been recorded as being on the wing in March, October and December. P. fulva is classified as "At Risk, Relict" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Hydriomena iolanthe</i> Species of moth

Hydriomena iolanthe is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is indigenous to New Zealand. This species is based on a single specimen that is now lost and has not been matched to any known species. As such it is classified as data deficient by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Notoreas chrysopeda</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Notoreas chrysopeda is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is a colourful day flying moth that lives in mountainous habitat.

<i>Asaphodes dionysias</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes dionysias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only known from mountainous areas in Central Otago. It lives in open grassy mountainous habitat at altitudes up to 1750 m. It is also known to live in wetland habitat. The larvae of this species feed on native herbs. The adults of this species are on the wing in January and February. The adult female of the species has reduced wing size in comparison to the male.

<i>Asaphodes exoriens</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes exoriens is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in Central Otago. This is an alpine species and frequents open grassy habitat. They can also be found in upland wetland habitat at altitudes between 800 and 1100 m. Adults are on the wing in March.

<i>Asaphodes ida</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes ida is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth can be found in upland or alpine habitat in Canterbury and Otago. Although not classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system, this species is regarded as rare.

<i>Notoreas arcuata</i> Species of moth

Notoreas arcuata is a species of geometer moth endemic to New Zealand. This species if found in the South Island and has been observed in the Saint Arnaud Range, around Arthur's Pass and in the Oteake Conservation Park. Larvae feed on species in the genera Kelleria and Pimelea. Adults are on the wing from December to February.

<i>Notoreas elegans</i> Species of moth

Notoreas elegans is a species of moth in the family Geometridae, endemic to New Zealand. This species has a wide distribution in New Zealand and is therefore regarded as not being in need of conservation.

<i>Notoreas paradelpha</i> Species of moth

Notoreas paradelpha is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Paranotoreas brephosata</i> Species of moth

Paranotoreas brephosata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Arctesthes avatar</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Arctesthes avatar, commonly known as the avatar moth or the Denniston triangle moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae and is endemic to New Zealand. It has been found in short-lived wetlands at elevations between 640 and 1000 metres, but only in the areas of the Denniston Plateau and the nearby Mount Rochfort in the Buller District of the West Coast Region of the South Island. The species was discovered by Brian Patrick in 2012, during a bio-blitz on the Denniston Plateau organised by Forest & Bird as part of a campaign against the planned development of an open-cast coal mine by Bathurst Resources. The name of the new species was proposed in 2012, following a competition run by Forest & Bird and judged by Patrick and his son. It was first described by Brian H. Patrick, Hamish J. H. Patrick and Robert J. B. Hoare in 2019. A. avatar has Nationally Critical conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

<i>Asaphodes recta</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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.

<i>Asaphodes sericodes</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes sericodes is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. This species inhabits open tussock grasslands in subalpine scrub or wetlands. The female of the species is likely semi-apterous and is flightless. The adult males are on the wing in January.

<i>Dasyuris fulminea</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Dasyuris fulminea is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Alfred Philpott and is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in the regions of the West Coast, Fiordland and Otago. Adults are day flying and are on the wing from December until February.

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

Helastia christinae is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Robin C. Craw in 1987. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been confirmed as being observed at Dunedin, and the Central Otago and Otago Lakes areas. H. christinae inhabits subalpine to lowland areas frequenting river banks and stream sides. The food source for the larvae of this species are lichens. The adults of this species are on the wing in October to December. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. Adult moths can be distinguished from similar appearing species in the genus Helastia as they have a "conspicuous transverse grey-ish white median band on the upper side of the forewing".

<i>Dichromodes simulans</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Dichromodes simulans is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by George Hudson in 1908. It is endemic to New Zealand and is regarded as rarely encountered. It has been observed in Otago including at the type locality of the Old Man Range / Kopuwai to the south of Alexandra, and at the Caleb Chapman Road Scientific Reserve.

References

  1. 1 2 "Arctesthes siris (Hudson, 1908)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 171. ISSN   0111-5383. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 Hudson, George Vernon (1908). "Recent observations of New Zealand Macro-lepidoptera, including descriptions of new species". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 40: 104–107 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. ↑ George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 131, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  5. ↑ Prout, L. B. (1939). "Geometridae: Fauna Indo-Australica". The Macrolepidoptera of the World (Stuttgart). 12: 237–292 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. 1 2 Craw, R. C. (1986-01-01). "Review of the genus Notoreas (sensu auctorum) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 13 (1): 131–140. doi: 10.1080/03014223.1986.10422654 . ISSN   0301-4223.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Patrick, Brian H.; Patrick, Hamish J.H.; Hoare, Robert J.B. (2019-05-29). "Review of the endemic New Zealand genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae), with descriptions of two new range-restricted species". Alpine Entomology. 3: 121–136. doi: 10.3897/alpento.3.33944 . ISSN   2535-0889 – via Pensoft.
  8. 1 2 3 Patrick, Brian H.; Lyford, Brian M.; Ward, John B.; Barratt, Barbara I. P. (1992-12-01). "Lepidoptera and other insects of the Rastus Burn Basin, The Remarkables, Otago". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 22 (4): 265–278. doi:10.1080/03036758.1992.10420820. ISSN   0303-6758.
  9. 1 2 Dickinson, K. J. M.; Mark, A. F.; Barratt, B. I. P.; Patrick, B. H. (March 1998). "Rapid ecological survey, inventory and implementation: A case study from Waikaia Ecological Region, New Zealand". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 28 (1): 83–156. doi: 10.1080/03014223.1998.9517556 .
  10. ↑ Brian H. Patrick (1993). Insects of the Waipori Ecological District (PDF). Vol. 16. pp. 1–43. ISBN   0-478-01481-3. ISSN   0114-7455. Wikidata   Q126685320. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2017.{{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  11. ↑ Patrick, B.H. 1984, B. H. (1984). "Lammermoor-Lammerlaw a tussockland National reserve in Eastern Otago?". Forest and Bird. 15 (4): 7.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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