Asaphodes adonis

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Asaphodes adonis
Asaphodes adonis male.jpg
Male
Asaphodes adonis female.jpg
Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Hexapoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Genus:
Asaphodes
Species:
A. adonis
Binomial name
Asaphodes adonis
(Hudson, 1898) [1]
Synonyms [1]
  • Xanthorhoe adonisHudson, 1898
  • Larentia adonis(Hudson, 1898)

Asaphodes adonis (also known as the exquisite carpet moth) is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. [2] 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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by George Vernon Hudson in 1898 under the name Xanthorhoe adonis using specimens collected at Castle Hill or at the Routeburn. [3] Hudson went on to discuss and illustrate this species in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [4] In 1939 Louis Beethoven Prout placed this species in the genus Larentia. [5] This placement was not accepted by New Zealand taxonomists. [6] In 1971 J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Asaphodes. [7] In 1988 Dugdale affirmed this placement in his catalogue of New Zealand Lepidoptera. [2] The type specimens have not been located at Te Papa. [2] Dugdale presumed that the syntype series of specimens Hudson sent to Meyrick is held in the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

Male A. adonis illustrated by George Hudson. Fig 5 MA I437613 TePapa Plate-XIV-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Male A. adonis illustrated by George Hudson.

Hudson originally described this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are vivid green : there is a broad, wavy, black transverse line near the base ; a somewhat broken line at about one-third, much broader on the costa and edged with white towards the base; a very conspicuous lima// black line at two-thirds, shaded towards the base, and sharply edged with white towards flic termen ; between this line and the termen there are several black marks, forming another extremely broken transverse line. The hind-wings arc pale orange-brown, with a faint grey central band. [3]

A. adonis has vivid green forewings with dark coloured broad wavy lines edged with white which form a distinctive pattern. [3] The dark coloured wavy lines can vary considerably in thickness. [4] The hind wings are a pale orange shaded brown. [3] This species can be distinguished from its close relative Asaphodes beata by the colour of its hind wings. [8]

Distribution and habitat

Observation of live moth. Asaphodes adonis 113444725.jpg
Observation of live moth.

This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island only. [1] [9] It is regarded as uncommon and is found in native forest in the South Island at altitudes of between 300 and 1200 metres. [3] [10] A. adonis have been observed at Castle Hill and Lake Wakatipu, [3] Lake Harris track, [11] Bold Peak in Otago, [10] Mt Aspiring Station, [12] and in the Te Anau Ecological District. [13]

Behaviour

Adults of this species are on the wing in January and February. [3] [10] It can be found during the day resting on tree trunks, camouflaged against similar coloured lichen growth. [14]

Host plant

Larvae of A. adonis have been reared on species of Ranunculus . [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>Asaphodes</i> Genus of moths

Asaphodes is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae erected by Edward Meyrick in 1885. This genus is endemic to New Zealand and species within this genus are found throughout New Zealand including the North, South and Stewart / Rakiura Islands.

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

Asaphodes aegrota is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1879 as Selidosema aegrota. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits open spaces in lowland native forest. The larvae of A. aegrota feed on native herbs and have also been observed feeding of the introduced lawn daisy. The adults are variable in appearance with the markings on both sides of its wings varying in intensity. Some populations also have narrow winged females. Adults are on the wing from November until March.

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

Asaphodes abrogata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found from the central North Island as well as the South Island. This species is inhabits open country at altitudes of between 2000 and 4000 ft. Larvae have been reared on Plantago species including Plantago coronopus. It has been recommended that Plantago raoulii be planted to attracted this species. Adults are on the wing in February and March.

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

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 to 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.

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

Asaphodes beata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is a relatively common species that can be found throughout the country in native forest or scrub habitat. It can be distinguished from its close relative Asaphodes adonis by the colour of its hind wings. The larvae of this species feeds on watercress but tends to be inactive during the day. If threatened it will mimic a twig dropping to the ground. The adult moths are on the wing from October to March and are said to be attracted to white rātā. The white markings on the forewing of the adults are variable in appearance.

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

Asaphodes cataphracta is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island. This species prefers grassy or tussock covered mountain side slopes as habitat. The adults of this species are on the wing from December until March. The larvae of A. cataphracta is known to consume native mountain buttercups (Ranunculaceae).

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

Asaphodes chlamydota is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, and can be found in the lower part of the North Island and in the South Island. It inhabits native forest and shrublands. The larvae of this species feeds on native Clematis plants including Clematis afoliata. Adults are on the wing from November to April and are regarded as having intermedia flight powers.

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

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.

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

Asaphodes obarata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in both the North and South Islands. It seems to inhabit the margins of native forest and also frequents plains with an affinity for gorse hedges. The host plants of the larvae of this species are unknown. The adults are on the wing in December and January. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation. There has been a contraction of range of A. obarata with it now being regarded as locally extinct in both Dunedin and Invercargill.

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

Asaphodes stinaria is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has previously been observed in both the North and South Islands. The range of this species has contracted and it has recently only been located in Westland, Otago and Southland. This species inhabits wetlands, tussock country, and in grassy openings in native forest. The larval host species has been hypothesised as being 'hairy' Ranunculus species however as at 2000 this hasn't been confirmed. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. There has been considerable reductions of the range of this species with it possibly becoming extinct in eastern parts of New Zealand.

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

Asaphodes chlorocapna is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can only be found in the Chatham Islands. The larvae of this species consume the leaves of Muehlenbeckia plants. Adults are on the wing in January. This species is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Asaphodes clarata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been found on the North and South Islands. The species inhabits open grassy areas, including tussock grasslands, in montane habitat. The larvae feed on the leaves of Ranunculus species. The adult moths are day flying and are on the wing from December to February and have been shown to pollinate Celmisia laricifolia and Hebe pinguifolia.

<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 helias</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes helias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been found in the middle and southern parts of the South Island. This species frequents tussock and scrubby habitat. The host plants of the larvae of this species include Cardamine and Ranunculus species. They have also been witnessed feeing on exotic buttercup species in the genus Bellis. Adults are on the wing in January and February.

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

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.

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

Asaphodes oxyptera is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the Auckland Islands.

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

Asaphodes periphaea is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only been collected in the mountains near Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. The male is fuscous coloured sprinkled with whitish colouration. The female is brachypterous. The preferred habitat of this species are alpine bluffs as well as mountainous open country. This species is on the wing from January to March.

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

Asaphodes prasinias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found on both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest including beech forest and subalpine scrub. The range of this species has reduced as this species is regarded as being locally extinct in the previously inhabited open non-forest habitats around Invercargill. Adults are on the wing from November to January.

<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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "NZOR Name Details - Asaphodes adonis (Hudson, 1898)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 172. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 George Vernon Hudson (1898), New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) , Illustrator: George Hudson, London, p. 63, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.7912, OCLC   980865393, Wikidata   Q19073637
  4. 1 2 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington, p. 117, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  5. ↑ Prout, L. B. (1939). "Geometridae: Fauna Indo-Australica". The Macrolepidoptera of the World. 12: 264 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. ↑ R. C. Craw (April 1987). "Revision of the genus Helastia sensu stricto with description of a new genus (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 14 (2): 269–293. doi:10.1080/03014223.1987.10422997. ISSN   0301-4223. Wikidata   Q54670161.
  7. ↑ J. S. Dugdale (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae" (PDF). Pacific Insects Monographs . 27: 55–172. ISSN   0078-7515. Wikidata   Q64006453.
  8. ↑ Meyrick, E (1908). "Notes and descriptions of New Zealand lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 41: 6 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  9. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 458. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  10. 1 2 3 Hamilton, H. (1911). "Notes on entomological collecting tours during the seasons 1908-1909 and 1909-1910". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 43: 123 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  11. ↑ Hudson, G. V. (1906). "On entomology of the Routeburn Valley". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 39: 202 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  12. ↑ Mt Aspiring Station Conservation Resources Report Part 1 (Report). Department of Conservation. November 2005. p. 34. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  13. ↑ Mcrea, Amber (12 April 2016). "Asaphodes adonis Observed by amber_mcrae February 2, 2016". NaturewatchNZ. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  14. ↑ Crowe, Andrew (2017). Which New Zealand insect?. Penguin Books. p. 20. ISBN   978-0-14-100636-9.
  15. ↑ Patrick, Brian (April 2000). "Conservation status of two rare New Zealand Geometrid moths" (PDF). Science for Conservation. 45: 1–21. ISSN   1173-2946 . Retrieved 10 February 2017.
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