| Asaphodes oxyptera | |
|---|---|
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Asaphodes |
| Species: | A. oxyptera |
| Binomial name | |
| Asaphodes oxyptera | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
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Asaphodes oxyptera is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. [2] This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the Auckland Islands.
This species was first described by George Hudson in 1909 using a specimen collected by A. A. Dorrien-Smith at North Arm, Carnley Harbour, Auckland Island and named Xanthorhoe oxyptera. [3] Hudson went on to discuss and illustrate this species in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [4] In 1964 Dugdale illustrated the male genitalia of this species. [5] In 1971 J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Asaphodes. [6] In 1988 Dugdale confirmed this placement in his catalogue of New Zealand Lepidoptera. [2] The male holotype specimen is held at Te Papa. [7]
Hudson described this species as follows:
The expansion of the wings is 1+3⁄8 in. The head, thorax, and abdomen are brownish-ochreous, the last-named with two blackish spots on the back of each segment. The palpi are slender, nearly as long as the head, whitish-ochreous. The antennae are whitish-ochreous, with long black pectinations extending to the apex. The forewings are elongate, narrow, with the apex extremely acute and the tornus rounded, rather dark greyish-brown, very glossy, with the bases of the veins and a broad costal band pale brownish-ochreous ; a small black discal dot. Hindwings narrow, apex and tornus rounded, greyish-brown, very glossy, without markings except a few extremely minute blackish marginal dots. On the underside all the wings are whitish-ochreous, the costa of the forewing and the whole of the hindwing darker ; the basal portions of all the veins are strongly marked in blackish-brown. The cilia of all the wings are very pale-ochreous. [3]
This species is endemic to the Auckland Islands of New Zealand and has been found on Adams Island and Auckland Island. [6] [1]
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 the North, South and Stewart / Rakiura Islands.
Sabatinca calliarcha is a species of moth belonging to the family Micropterigidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1912. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in two separate areas of New Zealand - the first in the norther parts of the North Island including Great Barrier Island and the second population can be found from the top of the South Island down to Southland. The adults of the species are on the wing from the end of September until the middle of January. The species prefers to inhabit damp forests and larvae likely feed on leafy liverwort species. Adult moths likely feed on the spores of ferns or the pollen of sedge grasses.
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 plinthina is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is on the wing mainly from June until September with occasional observations up to December, and is attracted to light. This species is similar in appearance to P. sandycias but can be distinguished from it as P. plinthina has palpi that are longer and has more blurred forewing markings.
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.
Physetica prionistis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1887. It is endemic to New Zealand and is widespread throughout the North, South and Chatham Islands. This species can be found in open clearings of shrubland and forest at altitudes from sea level up to the alpine zone. Adults are on the wing throughout the year and are attracted to sugar traps and occasionally to light. The life history of this species is unknown as are the larval host species.
Asaphodes albalineata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed on Stewart Island / Rakiura. This species is similar in appearance to Asaphodes oraria but can be distinguished as it has an unusual pattern on the underside of its hindwings. It inhabits open hill tops and adults are on the wing in December.
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.
Asaphodes camelias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and inhabits native forest. The adults of this species are on the wing from February to May and July to September.
Asaphodes campbellensis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to Campbell Island in New Zealand.
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).
Physetica homoscia is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found through out New Zealand including in the Auckland Islands. This species inhabits places where its host plants are common and this includes costal dune habitat. It lives at a wide range of altitudes from sea-level up to at least 1750 m. The larvae of P. homoscia feed on Ozothamnus leptophyllus and Ozothamnus vauvilliersii. They are very active and drop to the ground when disturbed. Larvae are parasitised by a species of fly. P. homoscia pupate in the soil and the pupa life stage lasts for approximately 6 weeks. The adult moths are on the wing from September to June and are attracted to light. The adults of P. homoscia might possibly be confused with Ichneutica moderata. However this latter species lacks the small white dots on the forewing veins of P. homoscia. Adults might also be confused with P. temperata but P. homoscia is significantly larger in size.
Mallobathra aphrosticha is a moth of the family Psychidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Fiordland, Otago and Southland. The adults are on the wing in December and the female is semi-apterous.
Tingena crotala is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found both in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest and is on the wing in November and December.
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 habits 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.
Asaphodes oraria is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Asaphodes philpotti is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Asaphodes prasinias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Asaphodes recta is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Asaphodes sericodes is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
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