| Dasyuris enysii | |
|---|---|
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| Female | |
 | |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Dasyuris |
| Species: | D. enysii |
| Binomial name | |
| Dasyuris enysii (Butler, 1877) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Dasyuris enysii is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
This species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877 using specimens collected by John Enys and named Fidonia enysii. [1] [2] In 1884 Edward Meyrick, thinking he was describing a new species, named it Statira homomorpha. [3] In 1885 Meyrick recognised his error and synonymised both previous names naming the species Statira enysii. [4] In 1886 Meyrick renamed the genus StatiraStathmonyma. [5] George Hudson described and illustrated the species under the name Dasyuris enysii both in his 1898 book New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macrolepidoptera) as well as in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. [6] [7] The type specimen of this species is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [1]
Butler described the species as follows:
Primaries above pale grey, crossed by sandy yellowish, white, and dark grey bars and lines, some of which form an irregular darker central band ; outer border broadly dark grey, bounded internally by a lunulated sandy stripe and intersected by a pale line ; fringe alternately pale brown and whitish ; secondaries bright orange ; abdominal area speckled with blackish ; a subbasal transverse blackline ; outer border dentated, black ; fringe alternately brown and whitish ; body grey : wings below bright ochreous, crossed by several black lines, much as in the preceding species ; outer border black, intersected by a crenated yellow stripe, which in the secondaries unites with the ground-colour at the apex and in the second median interspace ; pectus white, venter creamy whitish. Expanse of wings 1 inch 4 lines. [2]
When on the wing this species can be mistaken for Paranotoreas brephosata but can be distinguished from that species as D. enysii is larger in size, has paler colouring and the antennae of the male is simpler. [6]
This species is endemic to New Zealand. [8] The range of D. enysii is Marlborough, Kaikōura and Mid Canterbury. [9] The type locality is Castle Hill. [1] Hudson stated that he collected specimens at the mineral belt on Dun Mountain near Nelson as well as at Mount Hutt. [6]
Little is known of the biology and life cycle of this species. [10] The adults of this species are on the wing in January and are day flying. [7]
The host species for the larvae of this moth is unknown but it has been hypothesised that it is likely to be a plant from the family Apiaceae. [9] The adults of this species prefer stony mountainous habitat. [6]
This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon". [11]
Bityla sericea is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
Thectophila is a genus of moths in the family Cosmopterigidae, although some sources place it in the family Blastodacnidae. The genus contains only one species, Thectophila acmotypa. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Austrocidaria parora is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Stigmella progama is a species of moth in the family Nepticulidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation. S. progama has only been collected on Bold Peak in Otago.
Eurythecta robusta is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Elachista helonoma is a species of moth in the family Elachistidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.
Arctesthes catapyrrha is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
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.
Theoxena is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae erected by Edward Meyrick in 1883. Its only species, Theoxena scissaria, was first described by Achille Guenée in 1868. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.
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.
Austrocidaria lithurga is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as at risk, naturally uncommon by the Department of Conservation.
Leptocroca xyrias is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. The taxonomy of this species is in need of revision and L. xyrias likely belongs to a separate genus. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation.
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 feeding on exotic buttercup species in the genus Bellis. Adults are on the wing in January and February.
Austrocidaria prionota is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the South Island and is regarded as being uncommon.
Asaphodes nephelias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is alpine tussock grasslands above native forest and in wetlands. The adults of this species are on the wing from January to March and are day flying. The female has brachypterous wings.
Asaphodes omichlias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits rocky, open country in high mountains. Adults are on the wing in January and February. The appearance of the adult of this species is variable with some specimens having a paler and more grey appearance than the more usual brown appearance. Its colouration ensures it blends well with its preferred habitat rocky, open country in the high mountains.
Scythris epistrota is a species of moth in the family Scythrididae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The larvae have been found on species of New Zealand broom and they pupate within an irregularly shaped, dense, silken cocoon. Adults are day flying and are on the wing from November until February.
