Ecclitica torogramma

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Ecclitica torogramma
Ecclitica torogramma 255736622.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tortricidae
Genus: Ecclitica
Species:
E. torogramma
Binomial name
Ecclitica torogramma
(Meyrick, 1897) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Cacoecia torogrammaMeyrick, 1897
  • Tortrix torogramma(Meyrick, 1987)

Ecclitica torogramma, also known as the ponga ugly nestmaker, [3] is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. [1] It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North Island and in the north of the South Island. This species inhabits native forest and the larval host is the silver fern. Larvae mature during New Zealand's spring and summer with adults being on the wing from September until February. Adults are nocturnal although they can be disturbed during the day. They are attracted to light and can also be located on the underside of silver fern fronds.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1897 using specimens collected by George Hudson in Wellington and named Cacoecia torogramma. [2] [4] When discussing this species in his 1928 publication The butterflies and moths of New Zealand Hudson discussed this species under the name Tortrix torogramma. [5] Later in 1928 Alfred Philpott placed this species in the genus Ecclitica. [6] The male lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

Illustration of male. Fig 27 MA I437625 TePapa Plate-XXVI-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of male.

Larva of this species are small and green with a brown head and when mature is under 10 mm in length. [3]

Meyrick described the adults of this species as follows:

♂♀ 19 mm. Head and thorax whitish-ochreous, slightly reddish-tinged. Palpi moderately long. Antennal ciliations in ♂ 1. Forewings suboblong, costa rather strongly arched, termen sinuate, rather oblique, costal fold in ♂ short, basal; whitish-ochreous, reddish-tinged, or mixed with pale reddish and whitish; outer edge of basal patch straight, very oblique, dark fuscous or red-brown; central fascia evenly broad, straight, very oblique, edged with dark fuscous or red-brown streaks, posterior not reaching tornus, in ♀ followed by a wedge-shaped whitish costal spot reaching half across wing, dark-edged posteriorly. Hindwings whitish-fuscous, rather darker in ♀. [4]

The forewing pattern of E. torogramma is similar in appearance to the larger Chalastra aristarcha . [7] Hudson points out the pattern and colouration of this moth is highly protective when the moth is resting on the underside of its host's fronds. [5]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North Island and in the northern parts of the South Island. [8] [7]

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits native forest. [7] Its larval host plant is the silver fern. [7]

Behaviour

The larvae create a nest for themselves by weaving the growing tips of the fronds of its host plant together with silk webbing. [3] They consume the fronds of their host plant during spring and summer. [3] Adults of this species are on the wing from September to February. Adults are nocturnal although they can sometimes be seen flying during the day when disturbed. They are attracted to light. [7] The adult moths can often be located during the day, hiding on the underside of fronds of their host plant. [3]

References

  1. 1 2 Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 464. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  2. 1 2 3 Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 121–122. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. p. 26. ISBN   0-14-301924-4. Wikidata   Q115211440.
  4. 1 2 Edward Meyrick (16 December 1897). "XVI. Descriptions of New Lepidoptera from Australia and New Zealand". Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London. 45 (4): 388–389. doi:10.1111/J.1365-2311.1897.TB00976.X. ISSN   0035-8894. Wikidata   Q56158835.
  5. 1 2 Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 288, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  6. ↑ Alfred Philpott (1928). "The male genitalia of the New Zealand Tortricidae". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 59: 447. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q133008549.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Olivier Ball. Auckland. p. 48. ISBN   978-1-86966-399-5. OCLC   891672034.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ↑ "Ecclitica torogramma (Meyrick, 1897)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
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