| Dasyuris octans | |
|---|---|
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Dasyuris |
| Species: | D. octans |
| Binomial name | |
| Dasyuris octans Hudson, 1923 | |
Dasyuris octans 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 George Hudson in 1923 using a specimen discovered by Stewart Lindsay in the Hunter Mountains near Lake Manapouri at 4000 ft. [1] [2] Hudson described and illustrated the species in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. [3] The lectotype is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. [1]
Hudson described the species as follows:
The expansion of the wings is slightly under 1 inch. All the wings are extremely pale orange-ochreous with black markings. The fore-wings have the apex rather rounded and the termen somewhat bowed outwards; there is a small white basal patch speckled with black; beyond this are two dentate transverse lines abruptly bent inwards below costa; between this and the median band there is a broad band of the ground-colour; the median band is narrow with marked constrictions below costa and above dorsum, these constrictions being deepest on the outer edge of the band; the black lines forming the median band are very indefinite strongly dentate, the centre of the band is heavily sprinkled with white scales; the terminal area is broadly suffused with black ; broadest towards apex; there are many white scales interspersed with the black and traces of a wavy whitish subterminal line; a terminal series of black marks. All the cilia are cream-coloured barred with black. The hind-wings have an oblique blackish basal patch speckled with white; two wavy blackish transverse bands on the median area; a very broad black terminal band, partially transversed by a fine wavy subterminal line. The head, thorax, and abdomen are black, thickly speckled with white scales. [2]
This species can be mistaken for Dasyuris hectori but can be distinguished from that species as D. octans is smaller, much narrower and has a more orange-ocherous tint. [3]
This species is endemic to New Zealand. [4] [5] Along with the type locality, [6] this species has been collected at Homer, [7] as well as at the Rahine Range, Kaikōura Ranges, Jack's Pass in Hanmer, Porters Pass, Mount Cook, Macetown, Vanguard Peak and Advance Peak in Otago, Kepler Mountains and Eglinton Valley at Milford Sound. [8]
This species is on the wing in December. [3] It is a day flying moth. [9]
Charles E. Clarke notes he captured specimens flying over lichen covered rocks in native grass and herb habitat. [9]
This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon". [10]
Asterivora symbolaea is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Arthur's Pass. This species lives in subalpine habitat. Adults of this is on the wing in January and February. Larvae are hosted by Celmisia prorepens.
Amblyptilia deprivatalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species was first described by Frances Walker in 1864. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. Adults are on the wing from October to May and have an affinity to species in the genus Senecio.
Pasiphila aristias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1897 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in both the North and South Islands and inhabits subalpine and native forest. Adults are on the wing in December and January and are attracted to light.
Orocrambus punctellus is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Arctesthes catapyrrha is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
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.
Dasyuris partheniata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation.
Declana griseata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation.
Paranotoreas fulva is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern half of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species are the salt pans of Otago, the mountainous grassland areas in South Canterbury and Otago and the glacial outwash terraces south of Tekapo. The larvae feed on Atriplex buchananii and Plantago coronopus. Adults are day flying and have been recorded as being on the wing in March, October and December. P. fulva is classified as "At Risk, Relict" by the Department of Conservation.
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.
Paranotoreas brephosata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Ichneutica notata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Although similar in appearance to other species in the Ichneutica genus, it can be distinguished by the colouration and patterns on its wings. It appears to be a very local species, rarely collected and having only been recorded in the north-west of the Tasman District, the Paproa Range, the Rainbow Ski field and the Craigieburn Range. Very little is known of the life history of I. notata.
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.
Asaphodes prasinias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found on both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest including beech forest and subalpine scrub. The range of this species has reduced as this species is regarded as being locally extinct in the previously inhabited open non-forest habitats around Invercargill. Adults are on the wing from November to January.
Dichromodes ida is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by George Hudson in 1905. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in Central Otago. This species inhabits open rocky places at altitudes between 100m to 900m. The larvae of D. ida are cryptic in appearance and feed on lichens growing on rocks. They appear to pupate in rock clefts, forming a chamber made of moss and silk. Adults are day flying and are on the wing from October until December.
Dichromodes niger is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the lower part of the South Island and upper half of the North Island. It inhabits rocky sites or forest clearings. The larvae feed on lichen. Adults are day flying, are rapid fliers, and are on the wing from November until January.
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.
Helastia farinata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by William Warren in 1896. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island. H. farinata inhabits shady and damp forest ravines.
Tatosoma lestevata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae first described by Francies Walker in 1862. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Trachypepla galaxias is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. This species inhabits native forest. The life history of this species is currently unknown. Adults are on the wing from October to February, are nocturnal and are attracted to light.
