Compsistis bifaciella

Last updated

Compsistis bifaciella
Compsistis bifaciella 107226852.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lecithoceridae
Genus: Compsistis
Species:
C. bifaciella
Binomial name
Compsistis bifaciella
(Walker, 1864) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Gelechia bifaciellaWalker, 1864

Compsistis bifaciella is a moth of the family Lecithoceridae. [3] It was first described by Francis Walker in 1864. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North Island. C. bifaciella inhabit native forest. Larvae feed on leaf litter, live in a silk gallery either on the ground or in tree ferns.They pupate in a leaf litter coated, dome shaped, cocoon normally resting on a dead leaf. Adults are day flying and can be difficult to observe when on the wing. They are on the wing from October to February and are known to be active on sunny days. Adults have been observed swarming amongst Brachyglottis repanda during November and December, and bask on that plant's leaves in bright sunshine. This moth has been collected via sweeping of vegetation, blacklight and malaise traps.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1864 using specimens collected in Auckland by Daniel Bolton and originally named Gelechia bifaciella. [4] [2] Edward Meyrick, in 1888, placed this species in the genus Compsistis. [5] George Hudson discussed and illustrated C. bifaciella in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand and discussed it again in his 1939 Supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [6] [7] In 1996 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the family Lecithoceridae. [8] In 2005 Robert Hoare accepted this placement. [3] The female lectotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

Illustration by Hudson. Fig 14 MA I437891 TePapa Plate-XXX-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration by Hudson.

Dugdale described the larva of this species as follows:

Body with bands of short, stiff setulae on broad sclerites (pinacula) only ; thoracic SV setal group (above foreleg base) with 6—10 short setulae arranged horizontally; head capsule ventrally with menrum simple (no concave sclerite, no paired dark slits); body length 10 mm [8]

Hudson described the adult moth as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about seven-sixteenths of an inch. The fore-wings are rather elongate, oblong, with the tornus considerably rounded; shining coppery-brown thinly sprinkled with black scales; there is a small silvery patch near the base, a broad oblique band on the costa at about 1⁄3 reaching half across the wing; an irregular patch near the middle and a curved sub-terminal band, broadest near the middle; all these silvery-white markings gleam with iridescent purple; the cilia near the apex are shining white tipped with black. The hind-wings are grey with coppery-brown reflections. The legs are black banded with shining white and the antennae have a broad white band immediately before the apex. [6]

Hudson described the adult moths as jewel like. [6]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and found throughout the North Island. [1] [9]

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits native forest. [5] [9] They are also known to inhabit stands of Kunzea ericoides . [10] Larvae feed on leaf litter, living in a silk gallery either on the ground or in tree ferns. [9] They pupate in a leaf litter coated dome shaped cocoon normally resting on a dead leaf. [9] [8]

Behaviour

Brachyglottis repanda. Brachyglottis repanda (Rangiora) inflorescence and leaves.jpg
Brachyglottis repanda.

The adults of this species are on the wing from October to January, though occasionally they have also been recorded in February. [9] It is a day flying moth and is difficult to observe when on the wing. [9] Adults tend be active on sunny days and but can be observed when settled on leaves. [6] [9] Adults are known to swarm amongst Brachyglottis repanda during November and December, and bask on leaves in the sunshine. [6] At rest adults have their fore portions slightly raised. The moth stands on all three pairs of legs which are placed backwards; the wings are slightly wrapped around the body, their posterior extremity touching the ground. The antennae are placed backwards, considerably divergent, usually not touching wings. [7]

This species has been collected via sweeping of vegetation and malaise traps. [9] [11] Adult moths are also attracted to blacklight traps. [12]

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>Stigmella cypracma</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Stigmella cypracma is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species are leaf miners and pupate within their mines. The larval host species is Brachyglottis repanda. Adult moths are on the wing in February and September to November. This species has two generations per year.

<i>Stigmella maoriella</i> Species of moth

Stigmella maoriella, the pigmy leafminer moth, is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found from Auckland to the Hawke's Bay. Larvae are leaf miners of species in the genus Olearia. Adults have been observed on the wing in October. This species is classified as Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Asterivora combinatana</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Paramorpha marginata</i> Species of moth

Paramorpha marginata is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the northern parts of the North Island. Adults are on the wing in September, December and January. It has been observed in the canopy of kanuka forest and has been collected and reared from leaf litter beneath Leucopogon fasciculatus. It is regarded as a rarely recorded species.

<i>Glyphipterix tungella</i> Species of moth

Glyphipterix tungella is a species of sedge moth in the genus Glyphipterix. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. Larvae mine the leaves of small sedges. Adults of this species are day flying and inhabit sheltered scrub or grassy areas and forest clearings.

<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>Trigonistis anticlina</i> Species of moth

Trigonistis anticlina is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Adults of this species inhabit dense native forest habitat in ravines.

<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>Gymnobathra flavidella</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Gymnobathra flavidella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The host plants for the larvae of this species include Brachyglottis repanda and Gahnia procera.

<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.

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

Tingena basella 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. The preferred habitat of this species is scrubland or light forest. Eggs are deposited either singly or in egg masses. The larvae are littler leaf feeders. The adults of this species are on the wing from October through to the middle of December. George Hudson stated that he had collected numerous specimens of both sexes amongst the flowers of Brachyglotis repanda.

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

Tingena contextella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has found in the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species feed on leaf litter.

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

Trachypepla anastrella 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. Larvae are leaf litter feeders from the host plant Olearia fragrantissima and adults are on the wing from December until March.

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

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.

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

Trachypepla hieropis is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1892. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest and the larvae feed on leaf litter. Adults are on the wing in December and are attracted to light.

<i>Holocola charopa</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Holocola charopa is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the northern parts of the North Island. The larvae web together and feed on the new shoots of their host plant Kunzea ericoides. Adults are on the wing in July and from November until February.

References

  1. 1 2 "Compsistis bifaciella (Walker, 1864)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  2. 1 2 3 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: 91. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  3. 1 2 Robert Hoare (24 December 2005). "Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 54. Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research: 11. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.54. ISSN   0111-5383. OCLC   946510444. Wikidata   Q44994400. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2021.
  4. ↑ Francis Walker (1864), List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum, Part XXIX. - Tineites, London, pp. 657–658, Wikidata   Q110191308 {{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. 1 2 Edward Meyrick (1888). "Descriptions on New Zealand Tineina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 20: 90. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q114396003.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 15, 273, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. 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. 446, OCLC   9742724, Wikidata   Q109420935 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  8. 1 2 3 J. S. Dugdale (June 1996). "Natural history and identification of litter‐feeding Lepidoptera larvae (Insecta) in beech forests, Orongorongo Valley, New Zealand, with especial reference to the diet of mice(Mus musculus)". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 26 (2): 251–274. doi:10.1080/03014223.1996.9517513. ISSN   0303-6758. Wikidata   Q56091899.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Robert Hoare (2014). A Photographic Guide to Moths & Butterflies of New Zealand. Illustrator: Olivier Jean-Philippe Ball. p. 28. ISBN   978-1-86966-399-5. Wikidata   Q59396160.
  10. ↑ John Stewart Dugdale; John Hutcheson (August 1997). "Invertebrate values of kanuka (Kunzea ericoides) stands, Gisborne Region". Science for Conservation. 55. Department of Conservation: 26. ISSN   1173-2946. Wikidata   Q110426224.
  11. ↑ Watts, C. (February 2018). Ecology supplementary report – Terrestrial Invertebrates (PDF) (Report). NZ Transport Agency. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  12. ↑ T. H. Davies (January 1973). "LIST OF LEPIDOPTERA COLLECTED IN AREAS SURROUNDING HASTINGS AND NAPIER" (PDF). New Zealand Entomologist. 5 (2): 206. doi:10.1080/00779962.1973.9723002. ISSN   0077-9962. Wikidata   Q54755566. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2013.
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.