Australothis volatilis

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Australothis volatilis
Australothis volatilis female.jpg
Female
Australothis volatilis 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
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Australothis
Species:
A. volatilis
Binomial name
Australothis volatilis
Matthews & Patrick, 1998

Australothis volatilis, also known as the fuzzweed moth, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was discovered by Brian H. Patrick in Central Otago in 1989. [2] It was first described by him and his colleague M. Matthews in 1998. [3]

Distribution

A. volatilis is endemic to New Zealand. [4] It has been found in only six sites in Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin. [5]

Host plants

White Fuzzweed Vittadinia australis White Fuzzweed Vittadinia australis3.jpg
White Fuzzweed Vittadinia australis

The larvae of this species feed on Vittadinia species. [6] The natural host of A. volatilis appears to be the white fuzzweed herb Vittadinia australis . This plant is also endemic to New Zealand and is itself in need of conservation. [5] The caterpillars of A. volatilis feed on the flowerheads, leaves and developing seeds of the plant. [5] Larvae have also been seen feeding on the exotic species Vittadinia gracilis but it is unknown whether this plant provides the necessary nutrients to the larvae to ensure their successful maturation. [5]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Nationally Critical. [1]

Related Research Articles

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Heloxycanus patricki, also known as the sphagnum porina moth, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae, the ghost moths. It is the only member of the genus Heloxycanus. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as having the status of "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation.

<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>Bityla sericea</i> Species of moth

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

Ichneutica omicron is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found only in the middle and lower parts of the North Island. It is very similar in appearance to its sister species Ichneutica barbara. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of the larvae. The adults are on the wing in November and December. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Ichneutica blenheimensis is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North, South and the Stewart Islands. This species appears to prefer drier eastern localities and is rarely collected in western North Island forested areas. It does not appear to be frequently collected in inland dry tussock grassland habitats. The host plant for the larvae of this species is likely to be the golden sand sedge pīngao which is now absent from the moths type locality. However Chappell has raised very young larvae on grass species and the more developed larvae consumed Phormium tenax. Adults are on the wing from November to March and are attracted to both light and sugar traps. The blackish forewing fringes are diagnostic of this species. But worn specimens of I. arotis can be confused with worn specimens of I. blenheimensis. However I. arotis can be distinguished from I. blenheimensis as it has a scale-tuft on the thorax and dark longitudinal stripes on the tegula. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Stathmopoda albimaculata</i> Species of moth

Stathmopoda albimaculata is a species of moth in the Stathmopodidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand and is located in the lower half of the South Island. This species favours habitat that includes the various Olearia species that host its larvae. It has also been found to inhabit lowland podocarp native forest. The larvae feed on species in the genus Olearia. Adults are on the wing between the months of October and February. S. albimaculata is classified as Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Stathmopoda campylocha</i> Species of moth

Stathmopoda campylocha is a species of moth in the family Stathmopodidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Ericodesma cuneata</i> Species of moth

Ericodesma cuneata, the Corokia leafroller moth, is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Pseudocoremia cineracia</i> Species of moth

Pseudocoremia cineracia is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Meterana pansicolor</i> Species of moth

Meterana pansicolor is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Ichneutica cuneata is a moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. I. cuneata is found in and around the Tongariro National Park in the North Island and throughout the South Island. Specimens found in Tongariro National Park tend to be darker in appearance than South Island specimens but as their colour is variable, and antennae and genitalia of both species are consistent, they are not now regarded as a separate species. I. cuneata inhabits tussock grasslands and shrublands in alpine and subalpine zones. The adults are on the wing from December to April and can be found flying during the day. The life history of I. cuneata is unknown as are the specific host species of its larvae. However larvae of I. cuneata are said to feed on herbaceous plants. The adults of this species also pollinate native species such as Myosotis macrantha.

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

Notoreas edwardsi is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as Nationally Critical by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Gingidiobora nebulosa</i> Species of moth

Gingidiobora nebulosa, the gingidium looper moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

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

Notoreas casanova is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

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

Hydriomena clarkei is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Declining'" by the Department of Conservation.

<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>Meterana exquisita</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Meterana exquisita is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Meterana grandiosa</i> Species of moth

Meterana grandiosa is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. 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.

Hierodoris sesioides is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is known from its type locality of Esk State Forest in the Hawkes Bay. The host species is Spohora tetraptera, a kōwhai species. The larvae feed internally in woody galls on the stems of this plant. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

References

  1. 1 2 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. 5. ISBN   9781988514383.
  2. Hoare, R. J. B. (22 June 2017). "Noctuinae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) part 1: Austramathes, Cosmodes, Proteuxoa, Physetica" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 73: 13. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.73. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2017 via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
  3. Matthews, M.; Patrick, B. (1998-02-01). "A new diurnal species of Heliothinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) endemic to New Zealand". Journal of Natural History. 32 (2): 263–271. doi:10.1080/00222939800770131. ISSN   0022-2933.(Subscription required.)
  4. Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom Animalia: Chaetognatha, Ecdysozoa, Ichnofossils. Vol. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 461. ISBN   9781877257933. OCLC   973607714.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Fuzzweed Moth" (PDF). www.endangeredspecies.org.nz. Endangered Species Foundation. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  6. Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. "Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera" (PDF). Science for Conservation. Department of Conservation. 136: 1–33. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2017-05-13.