Cephalissa

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Cephalissa
Cephalissa siria 102659250.jpg
A male Cephalissa siria found in the Otago Region
Status NZTCS NV.svg
Nationally Vulnerable (NZ TCS) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Larentiinae
Genus: Cephalissa
Meyrick, 1883
Species:
C. siria
Binomial name
Cephalissa siria
Meyrick, 1883 [2]
Synonyms
  • Hydriomena siria(Meyrick, 1883)

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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This genus and species were first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 using specimens collected by Frederick Hutton in Dunedin. [3] [4] In 1884 Meyrick described both the genus and the species in greater detail. [5] In 1898 George Vernon Hudson described and illustrated the species under the name Hydriomena siria. [6] Hudson also used the same synonym when he described and illustrated the species in his 1928 publication. [7] John S. Dugdale also discussed the species in 1971 and placed this species in the genus Hydriomena was in doubt. [8] In 1988 Dugdale confirmed this placement. [9] The lectotype specimen, collected in Dunedin, is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [9]

Description

Male specimen from the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. Cephalissa siria male.jpg
Male specimen from the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.

Meyrick described the species as follows:

16-18 mm. Forewings moderate, costa sinuate, hind-margin strongly sinuate; rather dark reddish-fuscous, markings darker; a narrow curved fascia towards base, posteriorly obscurely edged with yellowish-white; a median band, moderately broad on costa, much narrower towards inner margin, both margins obscurely edged with yellowish-white, only distinct on costa, anterior margin sinuate, posterior margin sinuate, somewhat projecting in middle; an indistinct suffusion towards apex. Hindwings moderate, hindmargin irregular, obtusely projecting in middle; bright deep orange, tinged with reddish-fuscous on hindmargin; cilia dark fuscous. [5]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [2] [4] Along with the type locality of Dunedin, Hudson noted that the species was also present at the Waihopai Scenic Reserve near Invercargill. In 1939 Hudson mentioned that the species was present in the Waianiwa and Takitimo mountains in Southland. [10] This species has suffered a contraction of its range. [7] It is no longer seen in Dunedin nor Invercargill, but is still present in eastern Otago and in the Rongahere Gorge on the Clutha River. [11] It has been located in the Dansey Ecological District which is regarded to be the northern limit of its range. [12] The species has also been located at the Mt Watkin Scenic Reserve, north of Dunedin. [13]

Habitat

Hudson stated that the species was seen in kahikatea forest amongst Carex species. [7] C. siria is also known to inhabit the short tussock grasslands and shrubland in the Dansey Ecological District. [12]

Biology and life cycle

The adult moths are on the wing in October and November. [7]

Host species

Larval host plant Fuchsia perscandens. Fuchsia perscandens.jpg
Larval host plant Fuchsia perscandens.

The host plant for the larvae of this species is Fuchsia perscandens . [12] [11]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being nationally vulnerable. [1] In 2017 the Department of Conservation included C. siria in a list of 150 species to be prioritised for conservation. [14]

Related Research Articles

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Paradetis is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae. Its only species, Paradetis porphyrias, also known as the orange and purple fern looper, is endemic to New Zealand. The genus and species were first described by Edward Meyrick, the genus in 1885 and the species in 1883.

<i>Epichorista aspistana</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Epichorista aspistana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Canterbury and Otago. This species inhabits moist grassy areas at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1650m. Larvae feed on species within the genus Acaena. Adults are on the wing in November to February.

<i>Gadira leucophthalma</i> Species of moth

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<i>Pyrgotis eudorana</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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<i>Pyrausta comastis</i> Species of moth

Pyrausta comastis is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as "nationally vulnerable" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Eudonia xysmatias</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Eudonia xysmatias is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1907. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed and collected in Otago. This species inhabits wetlands. Adults are day flying and are on the wing in December and January.

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

Asaphodes camelias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, has been observed in both the North and South Islands and inhabits native forest. The adults of this species are on the wing from February to May and July to September.

<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>Theoxena scissaria</i> Species of moth

Theoxena is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae erected by Edward Meyrick in 1883. Its only species, Theoxena scissaria, was first described by Achille Guenée in 1868. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

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

Asaphodes cosmodora is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The adults of this species are on the wing in January and February.

<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 limonodes</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes limonodes is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits damp native forest. Adults are on the wing from November until March.

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

Notoreas paradelpha is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Orthoclydon chlorias</i> Species of moth

Orthoclydon chlorias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Tingena siderodeta</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Tingena siderodeta is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. This species prefers to inhabit native forest and scrubland but has also been found to be common in cultivated landscapes. The larvae are litter feeders and have been observed in Kanuka and Manuka forest. The adult moths are on the wing from October to February and are day flying but have also been trapped at night.

<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 omichlias</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Asaphodes omichlias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits rocky, open country in high mountains. Adults are on the wing in January and February. The appearance of the adult of this species is variable with some specimens having a paler and more grey appearance than the more usual brown appearance. Its colouration ensures it blends well with its preferred habitat rocky, open country in the high mountains.

<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>Dichromodes gypsotis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Dichromodes gypsotis is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the lower half of the South Island. The species inhabits open rocky sites. The larvae of D. gypsotis feed on lichen. The adults are day flying and are on the wing from October to January.

<i>Trachypepla aspidephora</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Trachypepla aspidephora is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. Adults are on the wing from November to March and are attracted to light. The moths can be found resting on tree trunks where their colouration imitates lichens.

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. 6. ISBN   9781988514383.
  2. 1 2 "Cephalissa siria Meyrick, 1883". New Zealand Organisms Register. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  3. ↑ Edward Meyrick (September 1883). "Monograph of New Zealand Geometrina". New Zealand Journal of Science. 1: 529–530. Wikidata   Q110691894.
  4. 1 2 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.
  5. 1 2 Edward Meyrick (May 1884). "A Monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 16: 93. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q109615359.
  6. ↑ Hudson, George Vernon (1898). New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & co. p. 51. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 98.
  8. ↑ Dugdale, J.S. (1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae" (PDF). Pacific Insects Monograph. 27: 55–172.
  9. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera-annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–264. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-01-27. Retrieved 2019-05-20– via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
  10. ↑ Hudson, George Vernon (1939). A Supplement to the Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn. p. 406. OCLC   9742724.
  11. 1 2 Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. (2000). Conservation Status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera (PDF). Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Conservation, New Zealand. ISBN   0478218672. OCLC   154670803.
  12. 1 2 3 Patrick, Brian (1991). Insects of the Dansey Ecological District (PDF). Wellington: Department of Conservation, New Zealand. ISBN   0478012853. OCLC   154612987.
  13. ↑ Kelvin Lloyd (March 2015). Beyond Orokonui:Volume 1: Indigenous biodiversity (PDF) (Report). Wildland Consultants Ltd. p. 29. Retrieved 4 May 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  14. ↑ Morton, Jamie (10 May 2017). "Kakapo, great white make DoC shortlist". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
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