Clepsicosma

Last updated

Clepsicosma
Clepsicosma iridia female.jpg
Female
Clepsicosma iridia male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Subfamily: Acentropinae
Genus: Clepsicosma
Meyrick, 1888 [1]
Species:
C. iridia
Binomial name
Clepsicosma iridia
Meyrick, 1888 [2]

Clepsicosma is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae. [1] As at 2022, this genus contains only one described species, Clepsicosma iridia, [3] which is endemic to New Zealand. The species inhabits native forest in the North Island as well as the northern and western parts of the South Island down to Westland. The larval host of this species is assumed to be species of Cutty grass, possibly including Gahnia setifolia and Gahnia xanthocarpa , although the life history of this species is unknown. The adults of C. iridia are on the wing from December until May. They are nocturnal, and are attracted to light. During the day the adults rest on the underside of leaves, including those Cutty grass species that may possibly be their larval hosts.

Contents

Taxonomy

Illustration of C. irida by Hudson. Fig 22 MA I437623 TePapa Plate-XXIV-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of C. irida by Hudson.

The genus and species were described by Edward Meyrick in 1888 using one female specimen collected in December in the Waitākere Ranges in the Auckland District. [4] [2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [5] The female holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2] The epithet iridia derives from the Roman goddess of rainbows, Iris. [6] The name refers to the wavy line of iridescent scales on the forewing of this species. [6]

As at 2022 there exists an undescribed Clepiscosma species that has been collected at Whakaruangangana and Ngawha as well as at coastal localites in Northland and in Auckland. [7]

Description

Observation of a live C. iridia. Clepsicosma iridia 183866951.jpg
Observation of a live C. iridia.

Meyrick described the genus as follows:

Forehead flat, very oblique. Ocelli present. Tongue well-developed. Antennae 3⁄4 , in male — ? Labial palpi long, straight, porrected, with long loosely projecting scales, attenuated to apex, terminal joint concealed. Maxillary palpi rather long, triangularly dilated with scales, not resting on labial. Posterior tibiae with outer spurs half inner. Forewings with veins 8 and 9 stalked, 10 closely approximated to 9 towards base, 11 oblique. Hindwings somewhat broader than forewings ; veins 3, 4, 5 tolerably approximated at base, 7 from a point with 6, anastomosing with 8 to 1⁄3 ; lower median naked, internal area loosely haired. [4]

Hudson described the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is barely 7⁄8 inch. The forewings are very pale brownish-ochreous, almost white, with a dull brown shading on the costa near the base and a very conspicuous blackish discal spot; there is an indistinct, jagged, whitish, sub- terminal line, edged with pale brown towards base, sometimes emitting a, faint loop which almost touches the discal spot; there is a series of blackish-brown terminal marks. The hind-wings are white, with a rather large dusky lunule and a wavy white sub-terminal line extending to within 1⁄4 of the tornus; near its termination this line is brilliant white and iridescent beside being here strongly edged with black; there is a series of blackish-brown sub-terminal marks. [5]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [8] It has been observed in the North Island and in the northern and western parts of the South Island down to Westland. [6] This species is regarded as being common. [6]

Habitat and hosts

Possible larval host plant Gahnia setifolia. Gahnia setifolia 40558803.jpg
Possible larval host plant Gahnia setifolia.

Clepsicosma iridia inhabits native forest. [6] The larval host of this species is assumed to be species of Cutty grass but as at 2014 this moth has not been reared in captivity to confirm this assumption. [6] Hudson stated that the species was common amongst Gahnia setifolia . [5] Hoare noted that this species is also associated with Gahnia xanthocarpa . [7]

Behaviour

The adult moths can be observed from late December until May. [6] They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. [6] During daylight hours they rest on the underside of leaves and have been found hiding amongst G. setifolia leaves near the ground. [5] [6]

Related Research Articles

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

Tingena armigerella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. T. armigerella is endemic to New Zealand where it is found in the North Island. The larvae of this species feed on plant litter. It is parasitised by the parasitic wasp Fustiserphus intrudens.

<i>Zealandopterix zonodoxa</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Zealandopterix zonodoxa is a moth of the family Micropterigidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is located from Hawkes Bay north as well as on Poor Knights, Little Barrier and the Great Barrier Islands. It is the smallest micropterigid in New Zealand and the shiny white markings on the forewing of this species display variation. It is a moth that is active during the day, but has been collected using UV light. Adults are on the wing from September to March and the species has been witnessed visiting the flowers of Nīkau and Cordyline pumilio in large numbers. It inhabits a wide variety of moist indigenous forest but is associated with forests in which podocarps are common. Larvae have been sieved from rotten wood on the floor of a mixed podocarp/broadleaf forest or extracted from moss or from bryophytes.

<i>Izatha manubriata</i> Species of moth

Izatha manubriata is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the southern South Island only.

<i>Izatha rigescens</i> Species of moth

Izatha rigescens is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as having the conservation status of "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation. It is only known from the Wellington coast. This species has not been seen since 1929.

<i>Batrachedra filicicola</i> Moth species in family Batrachedridae

Batrachedra filicicola, also known as the ring fern spore-eater, is a species of moth of the family Batrachedridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the North Island. The larvae of this species feed on the spores of the silver fern. Adults are on the wing in November and December. This species is attracted to light and has also been collected in the day by sweeping silver fern fonds.

<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.

Petasactis is a genus of moths belonging to the family Tineidae. It contains only one species, Petasactis technica, which is endemic to New Zealand. This species has not been collected since prior to 1888. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Pasiphila plinthina</i> Species of moth

Pasiphila plinthina is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is on the wing mainly from June until September with occasional observations up to December, and is attracted to light. This species is similar in appearance to P. sandycias but can be distinguished from it as P. plinthina has palpi that are longer and has more blurred forewing markings.

<i>Physetica prionistis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica prionistis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1887. It is endemic to New Zealand and is widespread throughout the North, South and Chatham Islands. This species can be found in open clearings of shrubland and forest at altitudes from sea level up to the alpine zone. Adults are on the wing throughout the year and are attracted to sugar traps and occasionally to light. The life history of this species is unknown as are the larval host species.

<i>Hierodoris illita</i> Species of moth

Hierodoris illita is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. However this species has not been recorded at Stewart Island / Rakiura.

<i>Hierodoris electrica</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris electrica is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1889. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it has been reported from the northern and southern parts of the South Island. The larva of H. electrica has yet to be described. The wingspan is between 15 and 16.5 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is dark brown, with narrow yellow scales overlaying this base colour. The hindwings are brown. The known larval host species is Olearia nummulariifolia.

<i>Eudonia zophochlaena</i> Species of moth

Eudonia zophochlaena is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1923. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been hypothesised that this species is a North Island endemic. The adults of this species are on the wing from December until February. The larvae of this species are leaf miners of the leather-leaf fern Pyrrosia eleagnifolia.

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

Hierodoris iophanes is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1912. This species can be distinguished from others in its genus by the purple metallic colouration as well as the blue-white mark on its forewings. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it has been recorded from Auckland to Southland. This species inhabits native forest or scrub, with the adults preferring open glades. They are known to be on the wing from November until February and fly during daylight hours, being active on hot sunny days. Larvae feed on the interior of twigs of Prumnopitys ferruginea. The twigs had evidence of oviposition scars of cicadas and the larvae were collected in October after reddish-brown frass indicated their location within the twigs.

<i>Sporophyla oenospora</i> Species of moth

Sporophyla oenospora is a species of moth in the family Pyralidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Xanthorhoe lophogramma</i> Species of moth

Xanthorhoe lophogramma is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and if found in the South Island. This species inhabits dry beech scrub but its larval host is unknown. Adult moths are on the wing in January. This species is classified as "At Risk, Nationally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Notoreas atmogramma</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Notoreas atmogramma is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is a day flying moth that frequents alpine habitat.

<i>Notoreas chrysopeda</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Notoreas chrysopeda is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is a colourful day flying moth that lives in mountainous habitat.

Ichneutica theobroma is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. The males of this species has a pink chocolate brown appearance to its forewings with a small white dot. The males of this species can be distinguished from the 'northern dark form' of Ichneutica arotis as they have broader shaped forewings with less markings than the latter species. The females are extremely difficult if not impossible to tell apart. I. theobroma are found in the northern parts of the North Island and inhabit kauri forests. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae although it has been hypothesised that larval hosts include Gahnia setifolia and Gahnia xanthocarpa. Adults of this species are on the wing from mid September until early November and are attracted to light.

Physetica funerea is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the western and central parts of the South Island. This species inhabits shrubland in the subalpine and alpine zones. The life history of this species is unknown as are the larval host species. Adults of this species are on the wing from October to February. This species is almost identical to P. cucullina with the only difference between the two species being the structure of the male antennae. P. funerea is also similar in appearance to P. sequens, but the latter species tends to have a prominently underlined kidney-shaped mark nearer to the outer edge of the forewing.

<i>Hierodoris callispora</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris callispora is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country from south of the Bay of Plenty. This species inhabits native beech forest. Adults of the species have been found where Muehlenbeckia is common. Adults have also been collected from the flowers of Kunzea ericoides. However the larval host is unconfirmed although it has been hypothesised that larvae of this species feed on Kunzea ericoides flowers. Adults of this species can be distinguished by its orange ruff that contrasts with its dark head and thorax. There is a colour form that exists that has orange scales and an orange coloured fringe on the hindwing. Adults have been collected in December and January and are day flying but are also attracted to light at night. A female specimen has been found with a larva in her oviduct suggesting that this species may give birth to larval young.

References

  1. 1 2 Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 458. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  2. 1 2 3 John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 152. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  3. ↑ "Clepsicosma Meyrick, 1888". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 Edward Meyrick (1888). "Notes on New Zealand Pryalidina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 20: 63–64. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q115098323.
  5. 1 2 3 4 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, pp. 204–205, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Robert J. B. Hoare (2014). A Photographic Guide to Moths & Butterflies of New Zealand. Illustrator: Olivier Jean-Philippe Ball. pp. 1–143. ISBN   978-1-86966-399-5. Wikidata   Q59396160.
  7. 1 2 R. J. B. Hoare (February 2011). "Lepidoptera of gumland heaths — a threatened and rare ecosystem of northern New Zealand" (PDF). New Zealand Entomologist. 34 (1): 67–76. doi:10.1080/00779962.2011.9722212. ISSN   0077-9962. Wikidata   Q54578051.
  8. ↑ "Clepsicosma iridia Meyrick, 1888". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
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.