Compsistis bifaciella

Last updated

Compsistis bifaciella
Compsistis bifaciella 107226852.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
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. [2] [3] It is endemic to New Zealand and found throughout the North Island.

Contents

Description

Dugdale described the larvae 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 [4]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and found throughout the North Island. [1] [5]

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits native forest. [5] Larvae feed on leaf litter, living in a silk gallery either on the ground or in tree ferns. [5] They pupate in a leaf litter coated dome shaped cocoon normally resting on a dead leaf. [5] [4]

Behaviour

The adults of this species are on the wing from October to January, though occasionally they have also been recorded in February. [5] It is a day flying moth and is difficult to observe when on the wing. [5] Adults tend be active on sunny days and but can be observed when settled on vegetation. [5] This species has been collected via sweeping of vegetation and malaise traps. [5] [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Izatha prasophyta</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Izatha prasophyta is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the North Island, except Hawkes Bay or the Wairarapa. Larvae likely feed on rotting wood although larvae of this species have been reared on the fruiting body of the bracket fungus Bjerkandera adusta. Adults are on the wing from November to February.

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

Hierodoris frigida is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the South Island. This species is found in two parts of that island, the Nelson/Tasman area and the Mackenzie, Otago and Dunedin areas in the southern part of the island. Although similar to H. iophanes this species can be distinguished as H. frigida has white bands on its forewings and the metallic coloured areas differ in placement. Segment 2 on the labial palp is entirely yellow and enables this species to be distinguished from the similar appearing species H. polita and H. torrida. Larvae have been collected amongst leaf litter from beneath species within the genus Thymus. It prefers open and shrubland habitats and adult moths have been observed flying close to the soil underneath Leptospermum scrub.

Hierodoris pachystegiae is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only been collected at Kaikōura. The larval host are plants in the genus Pachystegia which is found only in the Marlborough region. The larvae of this species have yet to be described from life but the adults of this species are predominantly grey in colour. The forewings of this species have silver markings similar to that of H. electrica.

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

Hierodoris squamea is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the mountains of Fiordland as well as the Olivine Range in south Westland. This species has a wingspan of between 12 and 13 mm and can be distinguished from similar species as it is very small in size, has a reduced eyespot on its forewings, clearly visible through Scanning Electron Microscope preparations, and has orange-yellow scales overlaying its dark forewing. It prefers open country of tussock grasslands and herbfields at high altitudes. As at 2005 the larvae is unknown. Adults are on the wing in January.

<i>Hierodoris s-fractum</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris s-fractum is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found only in the southern parts of the South Island. The male is larger than the female. This species is very similar in appearance to H. eletrica however H. s-fractum has an interrupted silver S-mark on the forewing and longer labial palps. The larvae has not yet been described. Hoare hypothesised that the larvae of this species likely feeds on leaf-litter. The species seems to prefer open dry areas and can be found in native shrub and gorse.

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

Hierodoris insignis is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the Nelson/Tasman districts. The larvae are leaf miners and are hosted by Celmisia species. Adults are on the wing in January. It is likely that this species belongs to another genus and as such this species is also known as Hierodoris (s.l.) insignis or 'Hierodoris' insignis.

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

Hierodoris stellata is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in Fiordland and Dunedin. This species has been found in coastal native forest. Larvae feed on Astelia flower-spikes and adults are on the wing in late December and January. It has been stated that this species belongs to the genus Charixena however this placement has yet to be published. As such this species is currently known as Hierodoris (s.l.) stellata or 'Hierodoris'stellata.

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

Tingena chloritis is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the South Island. Larvae of this species feed on leaf litter. The adults of this species are light flyers and are attracted to light.

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

Tingena griseata is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in North Canterbury. The larvae of this species are leaf litter feeders.

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

Tingena nycteris 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. This species inhabits native forest and scrubland and adults are on the wing from October to January.

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

Tingena ombrodella 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 of this species are on the wing from November to January and the larvae of the species are litter feeders. This species has been found to inhabit native beech forest.

<i>Leptocroca amenena</i> Species of moth

Leptocroca amenena is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883. It is endemic to New Zealand. The classification of this moth within the genus Leptocroca is regarded as unsatisfactory and in need of revision. As such this species is currently also known as Leptocroca (s.l.) amenena.

<i>Leptocroca aquilonaris</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Leptocroca aquilonaris is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Alfred Philpott in 1931. It is endemic to New Zealand. The classification of this moth within the genus Leptocroca is regarded as unsatisfactory and in need of revision. As such this species is currently also known as Leptocroca (s.l.) aquilonaris.

<i>Leptocroca porophora</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Leptocroca porophora is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1929. It is endemic to New Zealand. The classification of this moth within the genus Leptocroca is regarded as unsatisfactory and in need of revision. As such this species is currently also known as Leptocroca (s.l.) porophora.

<i>Leptocroca variabilis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Leptocroca variabilis is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Alfred Philpott in 1926. It is endemic to New Zealand. The classification of this moth within the genus Leptocroca is regarded as unsatisfactory and in need of revision. As such this species is currently also known as Leptocroca (s.l.) variabilis.

References

  1. 1 2 "Compsistis bifaciella (Walker, 1864)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  2. 1 2 John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 1–264. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2021.
  3. Robert J. B. Hoare (24 December 2005). "Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. 54: 11. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.54. ISSN   0111-5383. OCLC   946510444. Wikidata   Q44994400. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2021.
  4. 1 2 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.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Olivier Ball. Auckland. p. 28. ISBN   978-1-86966-399-5. OCLC   891672034.
  6. Watts, C. (February 2018). Ecology supplementary report – Terrestrial Invertebrates (PDF) (Report). NZ Transport Agency. Retrieved 28 May 2022.