Asaphodes helias

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Asaphodes helias
Asaphodes helias male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Asaphodes
Species:
A. helias
Binomial name
Asaphodes helias
(Meyrick, 1883) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Larentia heliasMeyrick, 1883
  • Xanthorhoe helias(Meyrick, 1883)

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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 as Larentia helias using material he collected in Dunedin. [2] [3] Meyrick gave a fuller description of the species later in 1884. [4] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species as Xanthorhoe helias in 1898. [5] Hudson also discussed and illustrated the species under this name in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. [6] In 1971 John S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Asaphodes. [7] In 1988 John S. Dugdale confirmed this placement. [2] The type specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

Illustration of A. helias by George Hudson. Fig 10 MA I437613 TePapa Plate-XIV-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of A. helias by George Hudson.

Hudson described the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous ; the fore-wings have a slender brown transverse line at the base, then a large loop-like marking from the costa, almost meeting a smaller, similarly looped marking from the dorsum ; next a broad irregular dark brown band a little beyond the middle, considerably indented towards the termen ; this is followed by a rather narrow pale band, and then by a narrow brown band, also indented towards the termen ; there is a small oblique brown mark below the apex, and a terminal series of black dots. The hind-wings have several faint dusky transverse lines near the base, a row of small spots near the termen, and a terminal series of minute black dots. The cilia of all the wings are reddish-ochreous. [5]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [8] As well as the type locality of Dunedin, the species has been found in the Dansey Ecological district and the Nevis Red Tussock Fen in Otago. [9] [10] This species has also been found near the Hooker traffic bridge close to Mount Franklin in Canterbury as well as on The Hump and Mount Cleughearn in Southland. [11] [6]

Biology and life cycle

A. helias is on the wing in January and February. [5] [11]

Habitat and host plant

This moth has been observed as frequenting tussock and scrubby areas that have the fern Polystichum vestitum present. [11] The larvae of A. helias have been reared in captivity on forest herbs including Cardamine and Ranunculus species. [12] Larvae have also been found feeding from species within these genera in the wild. [12] The larvae of A. helias have also adapted to feeding on an exotic buttercup. [12]

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>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>Austrocidaria parora</i> Species of moth

Austrocidaria parora is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Homodotis megaspilata</i> Species of moth

Homodotis megaspilata, also known as the small hooked-tip looper moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. It is regarded as being common species. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest, scrub, coastal areas and domestic gardens. Larvae feed on the dead leaves of Geniostoma ligustrifolium and likely other native plants. Once mature the larvae will pupate on the ground forming a silken cocoon protected by hiding inside two leaves of its host plant. Adults are nocturnal and are on the wing from October to April. They are attracted to light. In appearance the adults of this species are extremely variable but can be distinguished from similar species as all variations have forewings with blunt hook shaped tips.

<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 adonis</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes adonis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. 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.

<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 chionogramma</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Asaphodes chionogramma is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits the lower slopes of mountains in valleys with native forest at altitudes of between 2000 and 3000 ft. The adults of this species are on the wing in December and January.

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

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>Xanthorhoe orophyla</i> Species of moth

Xanthorhoe orophyla is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island in alpine habitat. This species has one brood a year and their larvae feed on cruciferous plants. Adults are on the wing from December to February and are attracted to light.

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

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. 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.

<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>Gingidiobora subobscurata</i> Species of moth

Gingidiobora subobscurata is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as "At Risk, Declining" 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>Austrocidaria prionota</i> Species of moth

Austrocidaria prionota is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the South Island and is regarded as being uncommon.

<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 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 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 "Asaphodes helias (Meyrick, 1883)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 173. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  3. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1883). "Monograph of New Zealand Geometrina [abstract]". New Zealand Journal of Science. 1883: 526–531 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. ↑ Edward Meyrick (May 1884). "A Monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 16: 81. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q109615359.
  5. 1 2 3 Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & Co. pp. 64–65. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.32466. OCLC   727236768 . Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  6. 1 2 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 120. OCLC   25449322.
  7. ↑ Dugdale, J. S. (1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae". Pacific Insects Monograph. 27: 55–172.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Patrick, B. H. (1991). Insects of the Dansey ecological district (PDF). Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Conservation, New Zealand. ISBN   978-0-478-01285-9 . Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  10. ↑ "Nevis Red Tussock Fen". www.orc.govt.nz. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 Philpott, Alfred (1930). "The Lepidoptera of Mount Cook District, with Descriptions of New Species". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 61: 419–439.
  12. 1 2 3 Patrick, Brian (April 2000). Conservation status of two rare New Zealand geometrid moths (PDF). Science for Conservation. Vol. 145. pp. 1–21. ISBN   978-0478219463. ISSN   1173-2946.
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