Chalastra pellurgata

Chalastra pellurgata
	Male
	Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Geometridae
Genus:	Chalastra
Species:	C. pellurgata
Binomial name
	Chalastra pellurgata; Walker, 1862
Synonyms
	Chalastra pelurgataMeyrick, 1884 ; Selidosema pelurgata(Meyrick, 1884) ; Selidosema pellurgata(Walker, 1862) ; Itama cinerascensFelder & Rogenhofer, 1875 ; Chalastra cinerascens(Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875) ; Stratocleis streptophoraMeyrick, 1883 ;

Last updated December 01, 2022

Chalastra pellurgata, also known as the brown fern moth or the pale fern looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae.^[1] 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.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 using a specimen collected in Nelson by T. R. Oxley and named Chalastra pellurgata.^[5]^[2] In 1875 Cajetan von Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer, thinking they were describing a new species, named this species Itama cinerascens.^[6] In May 1884 Edward Meyrick, thinking he was also describing a new species, named this species Stratocleis streptophora.^[7] Later in 1884 and in more detail in 1885 Meyrick discussed this species under the name C. pelurgata.^[8]^[9] This was an unjustified emendation.^[2] In those publications Meyrick synonymised both Itama cinerascens and Stratocleis streptophora into C. pelurgata.^[8]^[9] In 1898 George Hudson described and illustrated this species under the name C. pelurgata following Meyrick.^[10] In 1917 Meyrick, again using the epithet pelurgata, placed the species in the genus Selidosema.^[11] In 1928 Hudson illustrated and discussed the species, again following Meyrick, using the name Selidosema pelurgata.^[12] In 1988 John S. Dugdale placed this species back into the genus Chalastra and discussed Meyrick's unjustified emendation of the species epithet.^[2] This placement was accepted in the New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity.^[1]^[4] The female holotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London.^[2]

Description

Hudson described the egg of C. pellurgata as follows:

The egg, which is laid flat, is oval slightly flattened, deep bronzy-green, with a slight depression on the side, and numerous indistinct shallow hexagonal depressions.^[12]

The larvae of this moth were described by Hudson as being:

about 1+1⁄4 inches in length and very variable; some specimens are dull brown, with a row of green or pale brown crescentic spots down each side, and a dark brown line down the back; others are bright green, with a diagonal reddish-brown stripe on the side of each segment; the segmental divisions are reddish-brown, intersected by numerous very minute whitish lines.^[12]

C. pellurgata larvae pupate on the surface of the soil under their host plants in a loose cocoon.^[12]

Hudson described this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about 1+3⁄8 inches. The forewings of the male vary from orange-brown to pale yellowish of pale slaty-brown; there is a doubly curved dark brown transverse line near the base; a broad straight line a little before the middle; an angulated line a little beyond the middle, and a curved subterminal line, usually composed of a series of triangular white dots, edged with dark brown; all these lines are much stronger on the costa, and are sometimes almost obliterated elsewhere. The hind-wings are pale yellow or whitish, with several brown-edged white spots near the tornus. The apex of the fore-wing is considerably produced, and there is a large rounded projection on the middle of the termen. The termen of the hind-wings is distinctly indented. In the female the fore-wings are pale yellow or orange, the transverse lines and white spots are usually more conspicuous, and the projections and indentations on the termen of the fore- and hind-wings larger.^[12]

Hudson pointed out that this is an extremely variable species, with some male specimens being darker and marked with purplish-brown patches in comparison to the pale orange-brown variety.^[12] Although these specimens may appear to be a separate species, a series of specimens shows intermediate forms that connect the two extremes in colouration.^[12] The female of the species also vary but tend to be lighter than the males.^[12] Both the male and female have four dark lines across the forewing but these tend to be more visible in the female of the species with the forewings of the male only showing the first, third and fourth of these lines towards the leading edge of the wing.^[13]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.^[14] It is found throughout New Zealand.^[11]^[13]

Habitat

This species inhabits native forest and has been commonly found in dense forest ravines.^[13]^[12]

Life history and behaviour

The egg of this species usually hatches after approximately three weeks.^[15] Larvae of this species are active during spring and summer.^[12] This species pupates on the soil amongst leaf litter and moss forming a thin cocoon in which to do so.^[13]^[15] Adults are on the wing throughout the year but are most common from September to March.^[13] They are active from dusk and are attracted to light.^[13]^[16] During the day adult moths can be observed resting on dead fern fronds and at night have been observed feeding on the blossoms of Metrosideros perforata .^[12]

Host species

The larvae feed on the fronds of fern species including Leptopteris hymenophylloides, Leptopteris superba, Adiantum cunninghamii, Polystichum vestitu, Alsophila smithii, and the silver fern.^[11]^[17]^[18]

Related Research Articles

Eudonia philerga is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. E. philerga is regarded as being common. Larvae feed on moss and the adults have been observed on the wing more frequently from October to April. Adult moths are attracted to light.

Philocryptica is a monotypic genus of moths belonging to the subfamily Tortricinae of the family Tortricidae. It contains only one species, Philocryptica polypodii, the leather-leaf star-miner, which is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been recorded in both the North Island and the South Island, as far south as Banks Peninsula. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest where the species' larval host is present. The larvae feed on Pyrrosia eleagnifolia, mining the host plant leaves. P. polypodii pupates within the final blotch-mine. Adults are on the wing in November and December.

Asterivora combinatana is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed at locations in both the North and South Islands. The larvae feed on Senecio bellidioides and Brachyglottis repanda either from within a silken gallery or alternatively a silken curtain under which they feed. It is double brooded with adults being on the wing from September until November and again from February until April. This species is a day flying moth. It is extremely variable both in colouration and in size. The female tends to be larger and paler than the male of the species.

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 Pseudopanax 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.

Pterophorus innotatalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North, South and Ruapuke Islands. Adults of this species have been recorded as being on the wing from October to March as well as in August and prefers to inhabit grass or fern covered hills. The larvae are leaf miners and feed on Dichondra species, including Dichondra brevifolia and Dichondra repens.

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.

Chalastra ochrea is a moth of the family Geometridae. 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.

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.

Charixena iridoxa, also known as the Astelia zig-zag moth, is a moth of the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1916. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The life cycle of this moth is at least two years in length with the larvae inhabiting the bulb of its host plants and mining the underside of its leaves. These mines have a distinctive zig-zag appearance and can be easily recognised when looked for on the host plants. The larvae pupate in a cocoon attached to the leaf and this stage takes place between February and August. The adult moths emerge in the early spring and are fast, day flying moths. Their larval hosts are plants in the genus Astelia and include Astelia fragrans and Astelia nervosa.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 feeing on exotic buttercup species in the genus Bellis. Adults are on the wing in January and February.

Tortrix fervida is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. The larvae feed on species of fern in the genus Hymenophyllum including Hymenophyllum nephrophyllum. The adult moths are variable in appearance and are day flying. They are on the wing from November until January. This species is regarded as being uncommon.

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.

Trachypepla contritella, the Kiwi Enigma, is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. Originally endemic to New Zealand this species can be found throughout that country. However, from 2012 this species has been also been recorded in the United Kingdom. The preferred habitat of T. conritella is New Zealand native forest and larvae of this species are litter leaf feeders. Adults are on the wing from November to February in New Zealand and are attracted to light.

References

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.
1 2 3 4 5 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.
↑ "Chalastra pellurgata Walker, 1862". www.catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
1 2 "Chalastra pellurgata Walker, 1862 - Biota of NZ". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
↑ Francis Walker (1862), List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. Part XXV. Geometrites (continued), London, p. 1430, Wikidata Q115202878
↑ Felder, Cajetan; Rogenhofer, Alois Friedrich (1864–1867). "Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara". Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. Von W. pt.9:Bd.2:Abt.2 (1864-1867) Atlas: Plate CXXXI fig 1 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
↑ Edward Meyrick (May 1884). "A Monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 16: 106. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q109615359.
1 2 Edward Meyrick (1884). "Supplement to a monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". New Zealand Journal of Science. 2: 234–235. Wikidata Q115203351.
1 2 Edward Meyrick (1885). "Supplement to a monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 17: 66. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q111032066.
↑ George Vernon Hudson (1898), New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) , Illustrator: George Hudson, London, pp. 88–89, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.7912, OCLC 980865393, Wikidata Q19073637
1 2 3 Edward Meyrick (December 1917). "Revision of New Zealand Notodontina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 49: 266. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q110727829.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington, p. 137, OCLC 25449322, Wikidata Q58593286
1 2 3 4 5 6 Robert J. B. Hoare (2014). A Photographic Guide to Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Illustrator: Olivier Jean-Philippe Ball. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-86966-399-5. Wikidata Q59396160.
↑ "Chalastra pellurgata Walker, 1862". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
1 2 David Edward Gaskin (1966). "The butterflies and common moths of New Zealand". New Zealand: 151. Wikidata Q115000559.
↑ Brian M. Lyford (January 1994). "Lepidoptera and Trichoptera from Paroa, near Greymouth, New Zealand". New Zealand Entomologist. 17 (1): 46–51. doi:10.1080/00779962.1994.9721984. ISSN 0077-9962. Wikidata Q57483705.
↑ "Herbivore Report for Chalastra pellurgata Walker, 1862". Plant-SyNZ. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
↑ Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. pp. 1–32. ISBN 0-14-301924-4. Wikidata Q115211440.

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.

[NZIB-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.

[Dugdale1988-2] 1 2 3 4 5 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] "Chalastra pellurgata Walker, 1862". www.catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 2022-11-14.

[NZBiota-4] 1 2 "Chalastra pellurgata Walker, 1862 - Biota of NZ". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-11-14.

[Walker1862-5] Francis Walker (1862), List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. Part XXV. Geometrites (continued), London, p. 1430, Wikidata Q115202878

[6] Felder, Cajetan; Rogenhofer, Alois Friedrich (1864–1867). "Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara". Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. Von W. pt.9:Bd.2:Abt.2 (1864-1867) Atlas: Plate CXXXI fig 1 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

[Meyrick1884a-7] Edward Meyrick (May 1884). "A Monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 16: 106. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q109615359.

[Meyrick1884b-8] 1 2 Edward Meyrick (1884). "Supplement to a monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". New Zealand Journal of Science. 2: 234–235. Wikidata Q115203351.

[Meyrick1885-9] 1 2 Edward Meyrick (1885). "Supplement to a monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 17: 66. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q111032066.

[Hudson1898-10] George Vernon Hudson (1898), New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) , Illustrator: George Hudson, London, pp. 88–89, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.7912, OCLC 980865393, Wikidata Q19073637

[Meyrick1917-11] 1 2 3 Edward Meyrick (December 1917). "Revision of New Zealand Notodontina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 49: 266. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q110727829.

[Hudson1928-12] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington, p. 137, OCLC 25449322, Wikidata Q58593286

[Hoare2014-13] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robert J. B. Hoare (2014). A Photographic Guide to Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Illustrator: Olivier Jean-Philippe Ball. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-86966-399-5. Wikidata Q59396160.

[14] "Chalastra pellurgata Walker, 1862". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2019-09-04.

[Gaskin1966-15] 1 2 David Edward Gaskin (1966). "The butterflies and common moths of New Zealand". New Zealand: 151. Wikidata Q115000559.

[16] Brian M. Lyford (January 1994). "Lepidoptera and Trichoptera from Paroa, near Greymouth, New Zealand". New Zealand Entomologist. 17 (1): 46–51. doi:10.1080/00779962.1994.9721984. ISSN 0077-9962. Wikidata Q57483705.

[:0-17] "Herbivore Report for Chalastra pellurgata Walker, 1862". Plant-SyNZ. Retrieved 4 September 2019.

[Crowe2004-18] Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. pp. 1–32. ISBN 0-14-301924-4. Wikidata Q115211440.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]