Chalastra ochrea

Last updated

Chalastra ochrea
Chalastra ochrea male.jpg
Male
Chalastra ochrea female.jpg
Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Genus:
Chalastra
Species:
C. ochrea
Binomial name
Chalastra ochrea
(Howes, 1911) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Selidosema ochreaHowes, 1911
  • Selidosema prototoxaMeyrick, 1919
  • Chalastra prototoxa(Meyrick, 1919)
  • Pseudocoremia ochrea(Howes, 1911)
  • Pseudocoremia prototoxa(Meyrick, 1919)

Chalastra ochrea is a moth of the family Geometridae. [1] It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in both the North and South Islands and inhabits native forest. Larvae of C. ochrea feed on the leaves of species in the genus Sophora including Sophora chathamica. Adults are on the wing from February until April. They have been collected via sugar traps.

Contents

Taxonomy

It was first described by George Howes in 1911 from specimens collected at Woodhaugh Gardens in Dunedin in February and April and named Selidosema ochrea. [3] In 1919 Edward Meyrick, thinking he was describing a new species, named this species Selidosema prototoxa. [4] George Hudson described and illustrated S. ochrea in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [5] In 1939 Hudson discussed and illustrated the larvae of this species under the name Selidosema prototoxa. [6] In 1988 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Chalastra. [7] He placed this species in that genus as it was included by Meyrick in Selidosema, and had "a reduced, rounded uncus and no spinose process on the disc of the valva". [7] In the same publication Dugdale synonymised Selidosema prototoxa with C. ochrea as he argued that the genitalia were indistinguishable between specimens of S. prototoxa and C. ochrea. He also argued that the specimens in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection showed intergradation of the two colour forms. This placement and synonymising was accepted in the New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity. [1] The male holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

Illustration of larva. Fig 6 MA I437914 TePapa Plate-LIII-A-supplement full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of larva.
Living specimen. Chalastra ochrea 109023631.jpg
Living specimen.

The larvae of this species is brown coloured with distinctive markings. [8]

Hudson described the larvae of this species (under the name Selidosema prototoxa) as follows:

The length of the full-grown larva is about 1 inch. Cylindrical, of fairly even thickness, with segments well defined. General colour deep greyish-ochreous, slightly suffused with reddishbrown on lateral ridge, which is prominent, but somewhat irregular. The whole larva is covered with very numerous, slender, broken, greyish-white marks which give it a very fine dappled appearance; these marks are denser and whiter on and below the lateral ridge. Spiracles white edged with black. Legs ochreous-brown, dappled with greyish-white near base. [6]

Hudson described the adults of this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about 1+1⁄4 inches. The fore-wings are dull brownish-grey mixed with blackish-grey; ther is a small irregular, ochreous basal patch, followed by a slende blackish transverse line, acutely angulated above the middle ; the outer edge of the median band has a very prominent rounded projection slightly above the middle, and the subterminal line has seven sharp dentations; the space between the median band and the subterminal line is bright ochreous. The hind-wings are bright ochreous. [5]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [9] Along with the type locality in Dunedin this species has also been observed in the Canterbury region as well as around the Wairarapa region and in the Central Hawke's Bay District. [5] [10]

Habitat

This species inhabits native forest. [11]

Behaviour

The adults of this species have been collected via sugar traps. [3] [5] They are on the wing from February until April. [5]

Host plants

Larval host species, S. chathamica. Sophora chathamica Cockayne (AM AK252275-1).jpg
Larval host species, S. chathamica.

Larvae of C. ochrea feed on the leaves of species in the genus Sophora including Sophora chathamica. [8] [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Phycomorpha metachrysa</i> Species of moth

Phycomorpha metachrysa, the milktree fruit moth, is a species of moth in the Copromorphidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North and South Islands. The larvae feed on the fruit of species in the genus Streblus including Streblus heterophyllus. This adults of this species is on the wing from October to April.

<i>Pterophorus monospilalis</i> Species of plume moth

Pterophorus monospilalis, the white plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and occurs throughout the country. It inhabits native forest, parks and domestic gardens. Larvae are active during the day, are slow moving, and feed exposed. They feed on Araliaceae species as well as on Hedera helix, Meryta sinclairii, and Schefflera digitata. There are several broods in a year. Adult moths are on the wing from November until May and are attracted to light.

<i>Amblyptilia lithoxesta</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Amblyptilia lithoxesta is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. This species inhabits rough herbage on mountain sides. Larvae feed on Veronica buchananii. Adults are on the wing in January.

<i>Pyroderces aellotricha</i> Species of moth

Pyroderces aellotricha, also known as the Cosmet moth, is a moth of the family Cosmopterigidae. It is found in New Zealand, in Australia and the Cook Islands.

<i>Rhathamictis perspersa</i> Species of moth

Rhathamictis perspersa is a moth of the family Psychidae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1924. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Wellington region. Larvae of this species build small protective cases in which they hide and feed. The cases are brown and are neat in construction. The larvae live under the loose bark of trees and feed on inert animal matter. The adults have been observed on the wing in February and March.

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

Scoparia molifera, also known as the leather-leaf Scoparia, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1926 and is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found in the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species make silk tunnels from which they mine the leaves of their host, the leather-leaf fern Pyrrosia eleagnifolia. Adult moths are on wing from December to February and are attracted to light.

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

Pyrgotis eudorana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic in New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. However it is regarded as a rare insect. This species inhabits native forest. Larvae exclusively feed on Muehlenbeckia australis and adults are on the wing from November to April. Adults are attracted to light.

<i>Anisoplaca acrodactyla</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Anisoplaca acrodactyla is a species of moth of the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1907 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been observed in South Island as well as in the North Island. Larvae feed on species in the genera Hoheria and Plagianthus including the species Plagianthus regius'.

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

Chalastra pellurgata, also known as the brown fern moth or the pale fern looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. This species is extremely variable both in its larval and adult life stage. Larvae of this species are active during spring and summer. They feed on the fronds of fern species. C. pellurgata pupates by forming a thin cocoon on the soil amongst leaf litter and moss. Adults are on the wing throughout the year but are most common from September to March. During the day adult moths can be observed resting on dead fern fronds. They become active from dusk and are attracted to light.

<i>Heliostibes vibratrix</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Heliostibes vibratrix is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species inhabits open mountainside habitat and is known to feed on Nothofagus truncata. Yellow-crowned parakeets predate the larvae of H. vibratrix.

<i>Proteodes carnifex</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Proteodes carnifex is a species of moth in the family Depressariidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Both the larvae and the adults of this species are variable in appearance. However the adults are normally easily identified as the outline is characteristic and the size is consistent. In appearance, adult moths mimic the leaves of their larval host plants. This species has been found near Wellington in the North Island, the tableland of Mount Arthur, in the Canterbury region, Arthur's Pass and at Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. The larval hosts of this species are southern beech trees, particularly black beech and mountain beech but larvae have also been found on Nothofagus fusca, Nothofagus truncata and Nothofagus menziesii. The female moth deposits her eggs individually on the underside of native beech tree leaves. Once hatched the larvae feed on those leaves through winter and spring and then pupate in January. The adult moth emerges from the pupa after fourteen days and is on the wing from January until April. They are day flying moths and are not attracted to light. Various insects parasitise the larvae of this moth including several species of wasp as well as flies including the endemic fly, Pales funesta.

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

Tingena ancogramma is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the Hen and Chicken Islands, the North Island and the South Island. Adults are on the wing in summer and autumn and inhabit open areas of forest scrubland.

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

Tingena melanamma is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Marlborough, Otago and Southland.

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

Tingena monodonta is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native beech forest at altitudes of between 2500 - 3000 ft. The adults of the species are on the wing from November and December.

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

Chalastra aristarcha, the silver fern moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1892. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island. This species inhabits dense native forest. The larvae feed on the species host plant, the Silver fern, during spring. This species then pupates on top of leaf litter or moss on the ground. The pupation state lasts for approximately 6 weeks. Adult moths are on the wing from October until April but can sometimes also be seen during the winter months. Adults can be disturbed from silver ferns during the day or are seen on the wing at night particularly at Metrosideros perforata when in flower. Adults are attracted to light. It has been hypothesised that the range of C. aristarcha has restricted as a result of urban development and land conversion of its habitat.

<i>Homodotis falcata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Homodotis falcata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern part of the South Island. The larvae of this species feed on leaf litter and adults are on the wing for most months of the year. The forewings of this species can vary in depth of colour.

<i>Pseudocoremia lupinata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pseudocoremia lupinata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in both the North and South Islands. The favoured habitat of this species is Kānuka scrubland as its larval hosts are species in the genus Kunzea. Both the larvae and adults of this species are nocturnal. Adult moths are commonly on the wing from December to June and are attracted to light.

<i>Atomotricha chloronota</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Atomotricha chloronota is a moth in the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the eastern side of the South Island and at the Antipodes Islands. It inhabits clearings with native tussocks and ferns. The larvae feed on leaf litter from silk tunnels in soil. The male adults of this species are on the wing from July to September and have been trapped via sugar traps and are attracted to light. The female of this species is brachypterous.

References

  1. 1 2 3 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.
  2. 1 2 John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 163. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  3. 1 2 George Howes (July 1911). "New species of Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 43: 127–128. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q108323953.
  4. ↑ Edward Meyrick (1919). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 51: 350–351. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q110189623.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 142, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  6. 1 2 George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 415, OCLC   9742724, Wikidata   Q109420935 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. 1 2 John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 163. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  8. 1 2 "Chalastra ochrea (Howes, 1911)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  9. ↑ "Chalastra ochrea (Howes, 1911) - Biota of NZ". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  10. ↑ "McLeans Island: invertebrate inventory and analysis" (PDF). coastalrestorationtrust.org.nz. February 1999. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  11. ↑ Brian H. Patrick (1994), Coastal butterflies and moths of Wellington and South Wairarapa. (PDF), Wikidata   Q110426707, archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2021
  12. ↑ Consequences to threatened plants and insects of fragmentation of Southland floodplain forests (PDF). S. Walker, New Zealand. Department of Conservation. Wellington, N.Z.: Dept. of Conservation. 2006. ISBN   0-478-14070-3. OCLC   68747822.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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.