Austrocidaria similata

Last updated

Austrocidaria similata
Austrocidaria similata male.jpg
Male
Austrocidaria similata female.jpg
Female
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Austrocidaria
Species:
A. similata
Binomial name
Austrocidaria similata
(Walker 1862) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Cidaria similataWalker, 1862
  • Cidaria timarataFelder & Rogenhofer, 1875
  • Euphyia similata(Walker, 1862)
  • Euphyia nigrofasciataProut, 1939
  • Hydriomena similata(Walker, 1862)

Austrocidaria similata is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country including on off shore and sub Antarctic Islands. This species inhabits native forest and shrubland. Eggs are while in appearance and oval in shape and take approximately three weeks to mature. Larvae mimic the appearance of a moss covered twig and feed on Coprosma species. It has been hypothesised that this species overwinters as larvae. The larvae pupate on the ground with the pupa being enclosed in a thin cocoon made up of silk and refuse. Adults are on the wing all year but are most commonly observed from October until March. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light. During the day they can be observed resting on tree trunks where its forewing colouration provides camouflage protection from predators.

Contents

Taxonomy

It was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 using a specimen obtained by William Colenso collected either in Hawkes Bay or Taupō and named Cidaria similata. [3] In 1875 thinking they were describing a new species Felder & Rogenhofer named this species Cidaria timarata. [4] This name was synonymised by Edward Meyrick in 1883. [5] [6] [2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in both his 1898 and 1928 publications under the name Hydriomena similata. [7] [8] In 1939 L. B. Prout discussed this species under the name Euphyia nigrofasciata as an aberration of Eyphyia similata. [9] John S. Dugdale synonymised this name with A. similata in his 1988 publication. [2] In 1964 John S. Dugdale, following Hudson, used the name Hydriomena similata when discussing and illustrating this species. [10] In 1971 Dugdale subsquently placed this species within the genus Austrocidaria. [11] The male holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

A. similata larva. Austrocidaria similata - bythepark - 337769516.jpeg
A. similata larva.
A. similata resting on a tree trunk. Austrocidaria similata 342855321.jpg
A. similata resting on a tree trunk.
Male holotype specimen of A. similata. Austrocidaria similata male holotype.jpg
Male holotype specimen of A. similata.

The eggs of this species are coloured white and are oval in shape. They mature over the space of approximately three weeks. [12]

Hudson described the larvae of this species as follows:

The larva, which feeds on Coprosma robusta and C. rotundifolia, is about 1 inch in length, rather stout, slightly attenuated at each end; dull brown thickly speckled and streaked with blackish; the central portions of the three thoracic segments are green as well as a series of prominent dorsal ridges situated on the posterior margins of the other segments; the spiracles are black margined with white and the legs and prolegs pale green. Younger larvae have the dorsal ridges much less conspicuous, and whitish tubercles are often situated on segments 7, 8, 9 and 10. [8]

Hudson goes on to explain that the larvae resembles a small twig covered in moss thus making it hard to detect on its food plant. Hudson also believed that this species over winters in its larval state. [8]

Hudson describes the pupa of this species as follows:

The pupa is enclosed in a thin cocoon, constructed of silk and refuse, situated on the surface of the ground. [8]

Hudson also described the adults of this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is 1+1⁄4 inches. The fore-wings are dark greyish-brown or purplish-brown, with the veins and margins broadly marked with bright green; there are numerous irregular wavy blackish streaks forming three very ill-defined darker transverse bands; the first at the base; the second from about one-fourth to two-thirds, usually with a paler central area; and the third near the termen outwardly edged with white. There is a series of fine black terminal marks and the cilia are dark brown. The hind-wings are cream-coloured tinged with very pale reddish-brown, darker towards the dorsum, with numerous pale brown wavy transverse lines. There is a series of black crescentic marks on the termen, and the cilia are pale reddish-brown. [8]

This species is similar in appearance to A. callichlora but can be distinguished from that species as A. similata has a purple-grey coloured mark where the forewings meet. [13] A. similata can also be distinguished from this species as it has two white oblong shaped white patches on the bottom of its forewings near its abdomen when the wings are at rest. [14] Hudson states that it can commonly be observed resting on moss covered tree trunks and that its colouring provides camouflage protection against predators. [7]

Distribution

Austrocidaria similata is endemic to New Zealand. [1] This species is found on the Auckland Islands, Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku, Snares Islands, the Chatham Islands and mainland New Zealand, Stewart Island / Rakiura and Codfish Island / Whenua Hou. [15] [16]

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits native forest and shrubland where its larval host species can be found. [14] The larvae feed on Coprosma species. [17] [18]

Biology and behaviour

Adults are on wing throughout the year but are most common in the months from October to March. [13] The adults of this species are nocturnal and are attracted to light. [10] [19]

Related Research Articles

<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>Pasiphila muscosata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pasiphila muscosata, the emerald pug moth, is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The larvae of this species are known to be present in January and live on Muehlenbeckia species including Muehlenbeckia australis. The larvae tends to be brown but it is variable in both colour and markings. The larvae of this species pupates in a loose cocoon on the ground and adult moths emerge in September. Adults are commonly on the wing until the following May. Although adults tend to be a deep emerald green colour this species is again variable and there is also an orange-yellow variety as well as intermediate forms. Adults are attracted to light and often rest during the day on tree trunks.

<i>Epiphryne undosata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Epiphryne undosata, also known as the lacebark looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on plant species in the genera Hoheria and Plagianthus. They pupate amongst dead leaves in a silk cocoon. The adult moths have been observed on the wing all year round but are most commonly seen from November until February. The adult moths are extremely variable in both their colour intensity and wing pattern.

<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 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>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>Austrocidaria lithurga</i> Species of moth

Austrocidaria lithurga is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as at risk, naturally uncommon by the Department of Conservation.

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

Hydriomena iolanthe is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is indigenous to New Zealand. This species is based on a single specimen that is now lost and has not been matched to any known species. As such it is classified as data deficient 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 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>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. Larvae of this species have been recorded as feeding on Myrsine divaricata as well as on species of Coprosma. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light.

<i>Austrocidaria callichlora</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Austrocidaria callichlora, also known as the green Coprosma carpet moth, is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in both the North and South Islands where it inhabits native shrubland and forest as well as tussock. Larvae feed on Coprosma species.

<i>Austrocidaria cedrinodes</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Austrocidaria cedrinodes is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North, South and Stewart Islands. Although widespread across the country A. cedrinodes is regarded as being a scarce species. It inhabits open native scrubland populated with species of Leptospermum, Dracophyllum as well as species in the genus Coprosma. This latter genus contains the larval host plants of A. cedrinodes. Adults are on the wing commonly from September until February and are nocturnal and attracted to light.

<i>Austrocidaria venustatis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Austrocidaria venustatis is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Southland. Adults of this species are on the wing in December.

<i>Helastia triphragma</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia triphragma, also known as the angle carpet moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 and originally named Cidaria triphragma. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the South Island. It inhabits native scrub in coastal, lowland and montane areas. The larval host plant of this species is Helichrysum lanceolatum. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.

References

  1. 1 2 "Austrocidaria similata (Walker, 1862)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 176. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  3. ↑ Walker, Francis (1862). "Part XXV: Geometrites (continued)". List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. 25: 1281–1477 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. ↑ von Felder, Cajetan; Rogenhofer, Alois Friedrich (1875). Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. von Wüllerstorf-Urbair. Vol. 2. Wien. pp. Plate CXXXII Figure 19.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ↑ Edward Meyrick (September 1883). "Monograph of New Zealand Geometrina". New Zealand Journal of Science. 1: 528. Wikidata   Q110691894.
  6. ↑ Edward Meyrick (May 1884). "A Monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 16: 76. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q109615359.
  7. 1 2 George Vernon Hudson (1898), New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) , Illustrator: George Hudson, London, p. 50, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.7912, OCLC   980865393, Wikidata   Q19073637 {{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, pp. 99–100, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  9. ↑ Prout, L. B. (1939). "Geometridae: Fauna Indo-Australica". The Macrolepidoptera of the World. 12: 290 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  10. 1 2 John Stewart Dugdale (1964). "Insects of Campbell Island. Appendix. Lepidoptera: Geometridae". Pacific Insects Monographs . 7: 610–612. ISSN   0078-7515. Wikidata   Q110661075.
  11. ↑ Dugdale, J. S. (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae". Pacific Insects Monographs . 27: 97. ISSN   0078-7515. Wikidata   Q64006453.
  12. ↑ David Edward Gaskin (1966), The butterflies and common moths of New Zealand, p. 126, Wikidata   Q115000559
  13. 1 2 Robert Hoare (2014). A Photographic Guide to Moths & Butterflies of New Zealand. Illustrator: Olivier Jean-Philippe Ball. p. 90. ISBN   978-1-86966-399-5. Wikidata   Q59396160.
  14. 1 2 Carey Knox (2024). Butterflies & Moths of Aotearoa New Zealand. John Beaufoy Publishing. p. 47. ISBN   978-1-913679-66-8. Wikidata   Q130640046.
  15. ↑ Patrick, B. H. (1997). "Codfish Island moths". The Weta. 20 (1): 17–20. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.728.6325 .
  16. ↑ Marris, J. W. M. (2000-06-01). "The beetle (Coleoptera) fauna of the Antipodes Islands, with comments on the impact of mice; and an annotated checklist of the insect and arachnid fauna". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 30 (2): 169–195. doi:10.1080/03014223.2000.9517616. hdl: 10182/5721 . ISSN   0303-6758. S2CID   84422117.
  17. ↑ Department of Conservation (July 2005). Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review - Lake Hawea part 1 (PDF) (Report). Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  18. ↑ "Austrocidaria similata (Walker, 1862)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 9 Jul 2013. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  19. ↑ Lyford, Brian M. (1994). "Lepidoptera and Trichoptera from Paroa, near Greymouth, New Zealand". New Zealand Entomologist. 17 (1): 46–51. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.728.7273 . doi:10.1080/00779962.1994.9721984. ISSN   0077-9962.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.