Asaphodes frivola

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Asaphodes frivola
Asaphodes frivola male.jpg
Male
Status NZTCS NC.svg
Nationally Critical (NZ TCS) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Asaphodes
Species:
A. frivola
Binomial name
Asaphodes frivola
(Meyrick, 1913) [2]
Synonyms [2]
  • Xanthorhoe frivolaMeyrick, 1913

Asaphodes frivola, also known as the remuremu looper moth or Foveaux looper moth, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae with flightless females. [3] [4] It is endemic to New Zealand, and critically endangered, occurring in a very narrow and specialised habitat at just two small coastal sites near Invercargill. [2]

Contents

Description

Asaphodes frivola is a small straw-coloured moth with a wingspan of nearly 30 mm. Only the males can fly; females have twisted, useless wings but have long legs and are swift runners. Several other New Zealand moth species have flightless females; flightlessness allows females to carry more eggs, but severely limits the ability of the species to disperse to new home ranges. [5] [6] Eggs are laid in autumn and hatch after a month. Larvae are a dull greenish-grey with pink tinges, developing a herringbone pattern on their back as they slowly grow to 20 mm long. They likely pupate after nine months, but this has not yet been observed. [7] Adult A. frivola emerge between mid March and mid April and are active on warm nights. [6] Males are easily disturbed in the daytime and will fly short distances before resettling. [5]

Taxonomy and nomenclature

A. frivola was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1913 under the name Xanthorhoe frivola, from a single male specimen collected "in swampy forest near Invercargill" in 1912 by Alfred Philpott and sent to the British Museum, where it remains today. [8] [9] Philpott later noted when listing the moth species of Otago that "The type specimen is said to have been taken at Invercargill by myself, but I am quite unable to identify the species." [10] Hudson mentioned X. frivola in his 1928 Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand, but did not have access to the holotype so did not illustrate it. [9] Dugdale later determined this species was actually a member of the genus Asaphodes . [4]

After the collection of a single specimen in 1912 this moth were not seen again for almost 70 years. On 19 March 1981 lepidopterist Brian Patrick was collecting Asaphodes oraria at the Invercargill suburb of Otatara, and at Sandy Point just across the Ōreti River he discovered the males and flightless females of what appeared to be a new Asaphodes species. They turned out to be A. frivola. [11]

This species has no universally accepted common name in English or Māori, and is sometimes simply called "little brown moth", [12] but it has been referred to as the Foveaux looper moth, [13] after nearby Foveaux Strait, and the bonking grass moth [14] or remuremu looper moth [15] after its presumed host plant.

Distribution and habitat

Goodenia radicans, probable larval host plant. Selliera radicans 58295602.jpg
Goodenia radicans, probable larval host plant.

Philpott likely collected the holotype specimen at the New River Estuary, at the mouths of the Waihopai and Ōreti Rivers, the same area where the Sandy Point population was discovered in 1981. [7] In 1984 a second population was found at Tiwai Point near Bluff, and 10 males and 5 females were collected there in a 2011 survey. On 18 April 2013 a third population was discovered by Department of Conservation entomologist Eric Edwards at the Three Sisters Sand Dune, on the southern side of the New River Estuary between Bluff and Omaui. [6] A 2014 survey could no longer find A. frivola at Sandy Point; it seems to have disappeared from a combination of human disturbance (off-road 4WD vehicles have badly damaged the site) and the replacement of native vegetation with exotic weeds. [6] The world population therefore appears to be confined to Tiwai Point and Three Sisters. [7] As of 2014, only 34 males and 6 females of this species had ever been found. [7]

A. frivola only occurs along a small area of the Southland coast, in a narrow (30–50 cm) and fragmented strip of short tussock grassland right next to shell or gravel beaches. [13] [16] The dominant plants in this habitat are knobby club rush ( Ficinia nodosa ) and silver tussock ( Poa cita ). [7] After a 2014 survey, Brian Patrick and botanist Brian Rance hypothesised that A. frivola's host plant was the coastal buttercup species Ranunculus glabrifolius , based on observed feeding damage on the leaves; Ranunculus species are popular hosts for the genus Asaphodes. [6] [12] Subsequent surveys suggest the host is more likely to be the succulent creeping herb Goodenia radicans , known as remuremu or bonking grass. [14] [17]

Conservation

A. frivola is at high risk of extinction, and has already disappeared from one of its three known localities. [15] Its main population, at Tiwai Point, occupies less than 25 m2 of coastal vegetation, and the second population at Three Sisters Sand Dune is likely to be a similar size. [7] Both sites are vulnerable to further fragmentation, off-road vehicles, road expansion, invasive weeds, and fire. Without management, A. frivola is predicted to go extinct within 10–30 years. [7] The Department of Conservation gave it the threat ranking "Nationally Endangered" in 2012, which was increased in 2014 to "Nationally Critical". [1] [7] [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiwai Point</span>

Tiwai Point lies at the entrance to Bluff Harbour on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. A spit which extends from the western end of the Awarua Plain, it lies between Awarua Bay to the north and Foveaux Strait to the south. It is known for the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter, one of the largest industrial facilities in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ōreti River</span> River in New Zealand

The Ōreti River is one of the main rivers of Southland, New Zealand, and is 170 kilometres (110 mi) long. The river has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because, for much of its length, it supports breeding colonies of black-billed gulls.

<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 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 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.

<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 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>Orocrambus sophistes</i> Species of moth

Orocrambus sophistes is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in South Island at the Mackenzie Basin, Central Otago and Otago Lakes areas. This moth is a dryland specialist and inhabits short tussock grasslands. The larval host species is Festuca novae-zelandiae. The adults of this species have been observed from mid January to April with the female being flightless. The adult male is attracted to light. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable 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 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 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 feeding on exotic buttercup species in the genus Bellis. Adults are on the wing in January and February.

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

Asaphodes nephelias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is alpine tussock grasslands above native forest and in wetlands. The adults of this species are on the wing from January to March and are day flying. The female has brachypterous wings.

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

Asaphodes stephanitis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. this species inhabits coastal sand hills and grassland and is regarded as being rare. Adults are on the wing from January to March.

<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 philpotti</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes philpotti is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the South Island as well as one observation in Wainuiomata in the North Island. This species inhabits native forest and larvae are hosted by species in the genera Hydrocotyle and Cardamine.

<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 Stringer, I. A.N.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Dugdale, J. S.; Edwards, E.; Hoare, R. J.B.; Patrick, B. H. (2012). "The conservation status of New Zealand Lepidoptera". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 120–127. Bibcode:2012NZEnt..35..120S. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686316. ISSN   0077-9962. S2CID   82613733.
  2. 1 2 3 "Asaphodes frivola (Meyrick, 1913)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  3. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 459. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  4. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 173. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  5. 1 2 Patrick, Hamish (27 April 2011). "Moths with flightless females: two New Zealand examples". Hamish's wild world of insects. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Patrick, Brian (Winter 2014). "Life on the edge" (PDF). Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. 9: 4–5.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Patrick, Brian (2014). "Ecology and conservation of the rare moth Asaphodes frivola Meyrick" (PDF). Weta. 47: 17–38. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-27.
  8. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1913). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 45: 22–29.
  9. 1 2 Hudson, George Vernon (1928). The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. pp. 119–120.
  10. ↑ Philpott, Alfred (1917). "A List of the Lepidoptera of Otago" (PDF). Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 49: 195–238.
  11. ↑ Patrick, Brian (1981). "Notes on an interesting moth Asaphodes oraria at Otatara, near Invercargill" (PDF). Weta. 4: 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-30.
  12. 1 2 Newell, Julie (21 October 2014). "The mystery of the little brown moth". Conservation Blog. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  13. 1 2 "Foveaux Looper Moth" (PDF). Endangered Species Foundation. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  14. 1 2 Toki, Nicola; Mulligan, Jesse (16 March 2018). "Critter of the Week The Little Brown Moth". RNZ. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  15. 1 2 Patrick, Brian (20 March 2018). "The remuremu looper moth – Asaphodes frivola". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  16. ↑ Patrick, Brian (2004). "Conservation of New Zealand's tussock grassland moth fauna". Journal of Insect Conservation. 8 (2–3): 199–208. doi:10.1007/s10841-004-1352-1. S2CID   35192913.
  17. ↑ Patrick, Brian. "The remuremu looper moth – Asaphodes frivola". Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  18. ↑ Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015 (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 6. ISBN   9781988514383.
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