Dichromodes niger (also known as the alpine lichen looper)[2] is a moth of the family Geometridae.[3] 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.
This species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877 using a male specimen collected at Castle Hill by J. D. Enys and named Cacopsodos niger.[4][1] In 1888 Edward Meyrick place this species within the genus Dichromodes and discussed this species using the name Dichromodes nigra.[5] He compared it to the newly described D. gypsotis stating that D. niger was "markedly larger, blackish, without any white suffusion, the markings obsoletely darker."[5]George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under the name Cacopsodes nigra in both his 1898 book New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) and his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand.[6][7] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale stated that the species name was Dichromodes niger.[1] Robert J. B. Hoare discussed this species in 2016 and pointed out that the genus Dichromodes was described using Australian species whose larvae feed on the leaves of Myrtaceous plants. He raised the possibility that as D. niger larvae feed on lichens it is possible this species may be misplaced.[8] The male holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[1]
Description
D. niger observed in the Tararua Forest Park.
Butler described this species as follows:
Greyish black, speckled with white scales; primaries crossed by a broad dentated central black band; below shining dark grey, with a continuous paler discal line; pectus black. Expanse of wings 11 lines.[4]
Hudson described this species as follows:
The expansion of the wings is about 7⁄8 inch. The fore-wings are dull black, finely speckled with white; there is a distinct discal dot; three very jagged black transverse lines, one at the base, one at 1⁄3 and one at 2⁄3, followed by a broad broken subterminal shading and a terminal series of elongate black dots. The hind-wings are greyish-black, sometimes strongly tinged with orange-yellow in the female, with one or two dusky bands.[7]
Distribution
It is endemic to New Zealand.[9] This species known in the North Island from the Tararua Range south and also in the upper portion South Island as far south as Arthur's Pass.[8] In the South Island mountains it has been observed at altitudes of between 600m to 1200m.[2] This species has been observed by Hudson around Wellington as well as in Nelson on the Dunn Mountain.[5][6] It has also been observed at Jack's Pass in Hanmer and Skelmorlie Peak near Lake Te Anau as well as in the Awatere River valley.[10][11]
Habitat and hosts
The species has been observed inhabiting beech forest in Nelson and frequents forest clearings.[6][7] The larvae of D. niger feed on lichen.[2][8]
Behaviour
The larvae of this species writhe and fall to the ground in an evasive movement when they are disturbed.[2] This adults are day flying and are a fast flyers.[2] Adults are on the wing from November to January.[2] Adults frequent forest clearings where they have been observed resting on the ground in strong sunshine.[6]
Eudonia philerga is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. E. philerga is regarded as being common. Larvae feed on moss and the adults have been observed on the wing more frequently from October to April. Adult moths are attracted to light.
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.
Rhapsa scotosialis, the slender owlet moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It is regarded as one of the most common forest moths found in New Zealand. The larval host species for R. scotosialis is Piper excelsum.
Pasiphila bilineolata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North and South Islands. The species inhabits native forest and shrubland and the larvae feed on Hebe species. Adults are on the wing commonly from August to January but have been observed most months of the year and are attracted to light.
Pasiphila charybdis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Asaphodes aegrota is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1879 as Selidosema aegrota. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits open spaces in lowland native forest. The larvae of A. aegrota feed on native herbs and have also been observed feeding of the introduced lawn daisy. The adults are variable in appearance with the markings on both sides of its wings varying in intensity. Some populations also have narrow winged females. Adults are on the wing from November until March.
Scoparia ustimacula, also known as the black-marked brown Scoparia moth, is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits dense native forest at altitudes from sea level to approximately 1000 m. Although little is known of the life history of this species, larvae have been observed feeding on Hydrocotyle species. Adults are on the wing year round but are more commonly observed from September to March. Adults are nocturnal, are attracted to light and have been collected by beating scrub.
Reductoderces araneosa is a moth of the family Psychidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the lower part of the South Island. The preferred habitat of R. araneosa is on the edge of native beech forest. The larvae construct a case made from silk, moss and lichens and emerge from it to feed. The female of this species is wingless. The males of this species are on the wing in November and February and have been captured in the early morning.
Gadira acerella is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Francis Walker. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. The species inhabits native forest from sea level up to subalpine altitudes. Larvae are assumed to feed on lichen or moss. Adults are on the wing from October until March, are active at night and are attracted to light. This species is distinctively patterned and coloured and is said to resemble a bird dropping at rest. The colouring also assists to camouflage the moth when it rests against lichen.
Thiotricha oleariae is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to in New Zealand, where it has been recorded from the central part of the North Island south down to Stewart Island. The species is found at altitudes of between sea-level up to 900 metres. The larvae live in a constructed case, are leaf miners and are active in November. The larval host species are within in the genus Olearia. Adults are nocturnal and on the wing from November to March.
Asaphodes adonis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It is found in native forest at altitudes of between 300 and 1200 metres. Larvae have been reared on species of Ranunculus. Adults are on the wing in January and February.
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.
Austramathes purpurea is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North and South Islands but has yet to be recorded at Stewart Island. It inhabits native forest. This species might possibly be confused with A. pessota, however this latter species does not have the purple hue to the forewings. The larvae of A. purpurea feed primarily on māhoe but have been recorded as feeding on, and have been reared on, narrow-leaved māhoe. The larvae pupate in a silken cocoon on moss covered ground. Adults can be found on the wing during the months of March to January but mainly occur during New Zealand's late autumn, winter, and spring. Light trapping may not be the most efficient technique for collecting this species.
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.
Dichromodes cynica is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. D. cynica is endemic to New Zealand and is found only around Christchurch and Banks Peninsular. The larvae of D. cynica are cryptic in appearance and feed on lichens growing on dry sunny rock faces. Adults are on the wing from September to February. D. cynica are active during the day and are rapid fliers.
Dichromodes gypsotis is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the lower half of the South Island. The species inhabits open rocky sites. The larvae of D. gypsotis feed on lichen. The adults are day flying and are on the wing from October 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 simulans is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by George Hudson in 1908. It is endemic to New Zealand and is regarded as rarely encountered. It has been observed in Otago including at the type locality of Old Man Range, to the south of Alexandra and at the Caleb Chapman Road Scientific Reserve.
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 semisignata is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the North Island. The life history of this species is in need of further investigation as sources differ about what plants host the larvae. Adults are on the wing commonly from October until March.
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