| Declana atronivea | |
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| Species: | D. atronivea |
| Binomial name | |
| Declana atronivea | |
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Declana atronivea, commonly called the North Island lichen moth or North Island zebra moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. [3] It is endemic to New Zealand and found only in the North Island.
D. atronivea was first described by Frances Walker in 1865 as Detunda atronivea. [4] The male holotype specimen, collected by Captain Parry in Wellington, is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [5]
The larvae have a lumpy appearance and are brown and brownish-white in colour, growing to approximately 30 mm. [6] In the early stages of their life they look similar to a bird dropping when curled on a leaf. [6] When an adult D. atronivea has a wingspan of between 40 and 45 mm. [3]
This moth is white with dark brown or black markings. It is very similar in appearance to its close relation the South Island lichen moth, Declana egregia, but it has fewer dark markings and does not have the dark edges on the forewing. [6] This gives D. atronivea a more mottled appearance; it also has a black rectangular mark on the back of the thorax. [7]
Hudson noted that D. atronivea "varies considerably in the size and shape of the black markings on the fore-wings, which are often slightly different on the opposite sides, in the same specimen." [8] One authority has claimed that D. atronivea is the only one of 180,000 Lepidoptera species with asymmetrical patterning: its wings are not mirror images of each other. [9]
Research has indicated that the forewing colouration of this species is much more likely to protect the moth against predation when the adult insect is at rest on lichen compared to when it is resting on bare tree trunks. [10]
This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island. [3] [2] In 1913 it was regarded as being rare in Whanganui region but was noted as being very common about Mount Taranaki and Mount Ruapehu. [11] It has also been found in Wellington, Ōtaki and Napier. [8]
The eggs of D. atronivea are laid from the end of October. [8] They are oval in shape, slightly roughened on their surface and start out green in colour, turning a light blue shade covered with purple spots after approximately a week and then to a light purple colour just prior to hatching. [8] [11] The eggs are laid singularly and hatch after 11 days. [11] Although the larvae are generally brownish or blackish green in colour they can vary in shade significantly. [8] The pupae inhabit a light coloured cocoon which they form amongst leaves on the surface of the ground. [8] The adults emerge in February and March. [8] Some overwinter as pupae while others transform into adult moths. [6]
The host plants of the caterpillars of D. atronivea are Araliaceae [3] including Neopanax arboreus [8] and Pseudopanax crassifolius . [12]
Phaeosaces coarctatella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest however they can also be found in domestic gardens. Larvae shelter in hollow twigs or under bark and emerge at night to browse on lichens. They pupate within their shelter. Adults are on the wing from September to January and are variable in their appearance. They vary both in colour, from reddish brown to a greenish yellow shade, and also in the extent of the black marking on their forewings. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light.
Heterocrossa eriphylla, also known as the lichen snoutlet moth, is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island and the northern parts of the South Island. This species is regarded as relatively uncommon and inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on the healing wounds of New Zealand beech trees Fuscospora fusca and Fuscospora truncata. It pupates at its feeding site and emerges from December onward. The adult moth is nocturnal and is attracted to light. During the day the moth rests on lichen covered tree trunks where their lichen mimicking colouration assists with their camouflage.
Heterocrossa gonosemana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. Larvae feed on seeds and fruit of Griselinia lucida and possibly Griselinia littoralis. They can be extremely active when disturbed. This species overwinters as a pupa, enclosed in a cocoon, underneath its host plant. Adults are on the wing from November until February and can be found during the day resting on lichen covered tree trunks where they are well camouflaged. The adult is nocturnal and is attracted to light.
Isonomeutis restincta, the marbled snouter, is a species of moth in the family Copromorphidae. It is endemic to New Zealand where it is likely found in the northern parts of the North Island. Not much is known of the life history of this species but it has been hypothesised that it is a scale insect predator. The adults of this species are on the wing from November to January. This species has been classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
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.
Dumbletonius characterifer is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1865.
Helastia cinerearia is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands as well as on the Mercury and Chatham Islands. The preferred habitat of H. cinerearia includes urban gardens, various types of forest and sub alpine habitats. The larval host is lichen on rocks. The adult moths are on the wing all year round but are most commonly observed from September until February. Adult moths are nocturnal and have been observed feeding from and likely pollinating Hebe salicifolia, Hoheria lyallii and Leptospermum scoparium.
Ichneutica unica is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the centre of the North Island and throughout the South Island. This moth is very similar in appearance to its close relatives Ichneutica phaula and Ichneutica toroneura. I. phaula can be distinguished as there is a difference in pectinations on the male antennae and I. toroneura can be distinguished as the black vein markings on the forewings is more uniform for that species in comparison to I. unica. I. unica is variable in appearance with the North Island specimens having a darker brown colour on the forewings and having a darker underside of the hindwings. This species inhabits open tussock grassland at various altitudes, coastal dunes, and inland volcanic dunes. Larvae feed on tussock grasses such as Chionochloa pallens and species in the genus Poa. Adult moths are on the wing from November to February and are attracted to both sugar and light traps.
Glaucocharis bipunctella is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1866. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the Auckland region, in the southern parts of the North Island and in the Nelson region. It inhabits dense native forest. Larvae of this species have been raised on liverworts. Adults are on the wing in November to January and are attracted to light.
Eudonia sabulosella is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is regarded as being common. The larvae of this species are known to damage pasture in New Zealand.
Asaphodes abrogata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found from the central North Island as well as the South Island. This species is inhabits open country at altitudes of between 2000 and 4000 ft. Larvae have been reared on Plantago species including Plantago coronopus. It has been recommended that Plantago raoulii be planted to attracted this species. Adults are on the wing in February and March.
Adeixis griseata is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the North, South and Chatham Islands. This species inhabits poorly drained or swampy areas. As at 2017 the host plant of this species is unknown however it has been hypothesised that the host plant may be Schoenus brevifolius or another common sedge. Adults have been observed on the wing from October until January.
Proteuxoa comma is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found in the lower half of the North Island and throughout the South Island, although it appears to be more frequent on the eastern side of these islands, and also is present in Stewart Island. P. comma is very similar in appearance to P. tetronycha but can be distinguished as it is a larger moth with slightly different colouration on, as well as shape of, its forewings. This species pupates in the soil. The adult moths are on the wing from December to April. P. comma may possibly be declining in population and as at 2017 a reassessment of its conservation status is regarded as being needed.
Persectania aversa, commonly known as the southern armyworm, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was first described in 1856 by Francis Walker. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country including the North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. This species inhabits open grasslands. Larvae feed on grass species including commercial crops such as oats and barley and as a result this species is regarded as an agricultural pest. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light. They are on the wing throughout the year.
Bityla defigurata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Declana egregia, commonly called the South Island lichen moth or zebra lichen moth, is a moth in the family Geometridae, endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by entomologists Baron Cajetan von Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875 under the name Chlenias egregia.
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.
Tatosoma agrionata, also known as the mistletoe carpet moth, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae first described by Francis Walker in 1862. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as at risk, declining by the Department of Conservation.
Asaphodes clarata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been found on the North and South Islands. The species inhabits open grassy areas, including tussock grasslands, in montane habitat. The larvae feed on the leaves of Ranunculus species. The adult moths are day flying and are on the wing from December to February and have been shown to pollinate Celmisia laricifolia and Hebe pinguifolia.
Sestra flexata, also known as the common fern looper, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
