Declana griseata

Last updated

Declana griseata
Declana griseata female.jpg
Female
Declana griseata male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Hexapoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Genus:
Declana
Species:
D. griseata
Binomial name
Declana griseata
Hudson, 1898 [1]

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.

Contents

Taxonomy

D. griseata was first described and illustrated by George Vernon Hudson in 1898. [2] Hudson further discussed and illustrated the species both in his 1928 and 1939 publications. [3] [4] The lectotype specimen is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. [5]

Description

Hudson gave a description and illustration of the larvae of this species in his 1939 publication. [4] In appearance the larvae are extremely variable but it is able to mimic the appearance of a twig on its host plant. [4]

The pupa are enclosed in a cocoon made of moss and plant detritus and can be found on the ground. [4]

Hudson described the adult moth as follows:

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1+1⁄8 inches, of the female 1+3⁄8 inches. The fore-wings are dull slaty-grey, with a slightly paler central band; there is a fine oblique wavy transverse line at about one-fourth, another at about one-half, and indications of a third at about three-fourths ; numerous minute black streaks are thickly scattered over the wing, especially near the base and the termen ; the outline of the termen is very slightly scalloped. The hind-wings are pale grey, darker near the termen. The body is very dark slaty-grey. The antenna of the male are not bi-pectinated. [2]

Distribution

D. griseata is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [6] This species range is from the Bay of Plenty/Taupo to Southland. [7] However it is likely locally extinct in some North Island localities. [7] [8] D. griseata has been recorded as being collected in Wellington, [2] Top house at Lake Rotoiti, [4] Mount Hutt, [4] Castle Hill, [4] Cave Creek in Paparoa National Park, [4] Arthurs Pass, [4] Waiho Gorge in Westland, [3] Dunedin, [3] Ben Lomond, [4] Lake Wakatipu, [2] Takitimu Mountains in Southland, [4] Invercargill [3] and Orepuki. [3]

Biology and behaviour

The larvae of D. griseata are present in December and January. [4] The adult moths emerge from February. [4] This species can be found on the wing from September until May and is attracted to light. [3] Adults rest on mossy tree trunks in the vicinity of their host plants. [9]

Host species

The host species of this moth are leafy mistletoes, [7] including Peraxilla colensoi . [4]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Declining". [10] It was regarded by Hudson as being a scarce species even when first described. [2] The survival of this moth is dependent on the survival of its host plants. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cephalissa</i> Genus of moths

Cephalissa is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae. Its only species, Cephalissa siria, the orange triangle moth, is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Austrocidaria parora</i> Species of moth

Austrocidaria parora is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Heterocrossa iophaea</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa iophaea is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Pasiphila cotinaea</i> Species of moth

Pasiphila cotinaea is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Its larvae feed off Olearia species and the adult moth can be seen on the wing from November to April. This species is regarded as rare.

<i>Ichneutica omicron</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica omicron is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found only in the middle and lower parts of the North Island. It is very similar in appearance to its sister species Ichneutica barbara. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of the larvae. The adults are on the wing in November and December. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Physetica phricias</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica phricias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is wide spread in the South Island and inhabits shrubland. The host of the larvae of this species is matagouri. The adult moths are on the wing from September to May and July, and are attracted both to light and sugar traps.They are a faster-flying species and remain active even during windy conditions. P. phricias can be confused with some forms of P. sequens. However P. phricias can be distinguished as it has a less marbled appearance to its forewing.

<i>Ichneutica blenheimensis</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica blenheimensis is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North, South and the Stewart Islands. This species appears to prefer drier eastern localities and is rarely collected in western North Island forested areas. It does not appear to be frequently collected in inland dry tussock grassland habitats. The host plant for the larvae of this species is likely to be the golden sand sedge pīngao which is now absent from the moths type locality. However Chappell has raised very young larvae on grass species and the more developed larvae consumed Phormium tenax. Adults are on the wing from November to March and are attracted to both light and sugar traps. The blackish forewing fringes are diagnostic of this species. But worn specimens of I. arotis can be confused with worn specimens of I. blenheimensis. However I. arotis can be distinguished from I. blenheimensis as it has a scale-tuft on the thorax and dark longitudinal stripes on the tegula. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Chersadaula ochrogastra</i> Species of moth

Chersadaula ochrogastra is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Pyrgotis pyramidias</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pyrgotis pyramidias is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. This species is regarded as having two 'forms' although doubt has been expressed whether these are the same species.

<i>Asaphodes chlamydota</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Asaphodes obarata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Asaphodes obarata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in both the North and South Islands. It seems to inhabit the margins of native forest and also frequents plains with an affinity for gorse hedges. The host plants of the larvae of this species are unknown. The adults are on the wing in December and January. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation. There has been a contraction of range of A. obarata with it now being regarded as locally extinct in both Dunedin and Invercargill.

<i>Dasyuris partheniata</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Gingidiobora subobscurata</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Hydriomena clarkei</i> Species of moth

Hydriomena clarkei is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Declining'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Helastia siris</i> Species of moth

Helastia siris is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Meterana exquisita</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Meterana exquisita is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Meterana grandiosa</i> Species of moth

Meterana grandiosa is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Paranotoreas fulva</i> Species of moth

Paranotoreas fulva is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Asaphodes helias</i> Species of moth

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 feeing on exotic buttercup species in the genus Bellis. Adults are on the wing in January and February.

<i>Paranotoreas brephosata</i> Species of moth

Paranotoreas brephosata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.

References

  1. 1 2 "Declana griseata Hudson, 1898". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & Co. p. 98. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7912.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 151.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Hudson, George Vernon (1939). A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn. p. 416. OCLC   9742724.
  5. ↑ Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 164. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  6. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 459. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. (2000). Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera (PDF). Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Conservation, New Zealand. ISBN   0478218672. OCLC   154670803.
  8. ↑ Keesing, Vaughan (6 May 2012). "Ecological Review of the Terrestrial Ecological AEE Prepared for the Hawke's Bay Regional Council Ruataniwha Water Storage Project" (PDF). www.hbrc.govt.nz. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  9. ↑ Glime, J. M. (2017). "Terrestrial Insects: Holometabola – Lepidoptera: Geometroidea – Noctuoidea". www.digitalcommons.mtu.edu. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  10. ↑ Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015 (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 7. ISBN   9781988514383.
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.