Epiphryne verriculata

Last updated

Epiphryne verriculata
Epiphryne verriculata female.jpg
Female
Epiphryne verriculata male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Epiphryne
Species:
E. verriculata
Binomial name
Epiphryne verriculata
(Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875)
Synonyms [1]
  • Cidaria verriculataFelder & Rogenhofer, 1875
  • Panopoea verriculata(Felder & Rogenhofer 1875)
  • Pancyma verriculata(Felder & Rogenhofer 1875)
  • Venusia verriculata(Felder & Rogenhofer 1875)

Epiphryne verriculata, the cabbage tree moth, is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is found only in New Zealand, and only feeds on the native cabbage tree (Cordylineaustralis); its wings are patterned to camouflage it against dead cabbage tree leaves.

Contents

Taxonomy

Epiphryne verriculata was first described by Baron Cajetan von Felder, Rudolf Felder & Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875 under the name Cidaria verriculata. [2] [3]

Leaf damage from cabbage tree moth caterpillars Cabbagetreemothdamage.jpg
Leaf damage from cabbage tree moth caterpillars

Distribution and habitat

This moth is endemic to New Zealand and is very common, being widely distributed throughout the country. [4] [5] Its favoured habitats are wetland and native forest, but it can be found in urban parks and gardens, as cabbage trees are commonly grown in cultivation. [5]

Life cycle

Eggs

The eggs of E. verriculata are bright green and are laid on the underside of leaves in neat parallel rows in autumn and spring. [4] As they mature the eggs change colour from bright green to brown and then finally to red. After approximately 14 days the eggs hatch and the caterpillars emerge. [1]

Cabbage tree moth caterpillar Cabbage Tree Moth by Tony Wills.jpg
Cabbage tree moth caterpillar

Larva

The caterpillar is green with red and dark brown lines. When fully grown it is approximately 2.5 cm long. [4] At night caterpillars feed on the new and unopened leaves of Cordyline australis ; their flattened bodies allow them to squeeze in amongst the developing leaves. [6] [1] The caterpillars create a characteristic pattern of damage, initially making holes and dark channels along the leaf and, as they grow, notches in the leaf edge. [7] As the leaf opens and grows the notches likewise grow and become more noticeable. [6] The larvae reach 25 mm in length before pupating, either on the cabbage tree in crevices or dead leaf bases or on the ground underneath. [7]

A cabbage tree moth on a leaf of New Zealand flax (Phormium sp.) Cabbage tree moth - Dan Kluza.jpg
A cabbage tree moth on a leaf of New Zealand flax ( Phormium sp.)

Adult

The wingspan of the adult moth is about 40 mm. [8] Adults can be seen from spring to late summer (October to May). [5] E. verriculata have light brown wings with parallel horizontal stripes that resemble the veins in dead cabbage tree leaves; the moth sits with its body perpendicular to the leaf's long axis and wings pressed up against the leaf, its markings lining up with the veins. If disturbed, the will only fly a short distance before finding another dead brown leaf to settle on, avoiding the green fresh leaves. [6] Although attracted to light, the adult moth is inconspicuous when resting by day on cabbage tree leaves, and this camouflage helps protect it from predators. [8]

Conservation status

Epiphryne verriculata is common throughout New Zealand and not regarded as threatened. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Macarostola miniella</i> Species of moth

Macarostola miniella is a species of moth in the family Gracillariidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is only found in the North Island and the adult moths have two different colour variations.

<i>Glyphipterix tungella</i> Species of moth

Glyphipterix tungella is a species of sedge moth in the genus Glyphipterix. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. Larvae mine the leaves of small sedges. Adults of this species are day flying and inhabit sheltered scrub or grassy areas and forest clearings.

<i>Pasiphila muscosata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pasiphila muscosata, the emerald pug moth, is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The larvae of this species are known to be present in January and live on Muehlenbeckia species including Muehlenbeckia australis. The larvae tends to be brown but it is variable in both colour and markings. The larvae of this species pupates in a loose cocoon on the ground and adult moths emerge in September. Adults are commonly on the wing until the following May. Although adults tend to be a deep emerald green colour this species is again variable and there is also an orange-yellow variety as well as intermediate forms. Adults are attracted to light and often rest during the day on tree trunks.

<i>Epiphryne undosata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Epiphryne undosata, also known as the lacebark looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on plant species in the genera Hoheria and Plagianthus. They pupate amongst dead leaves in a silk cocoon. The adult moths have been observed on the wing all year round but are most commonly seen from November until February. The adult moths are extremely variable in both their colour intensity and wing pattern.

<i>Homodotis megaspilata</i> Species of moth

Homodotis megaspilata, also known as the small hooked-tip looper moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. It is regarded as being common species. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest, scrub, coastal areas and domestic gardens. Larvae feed on the dead leaves of Geniostoma ligustrifolium and likely other native plants. Once mature the larvae will pupate on the ground forming a silken cocoon protected by hiding inside two leaves of its host plant. Adults are nocturnal and are on the wing from October to April. They are attracted to light. In appearance the adults of this species are extremely variable but can be distinguished from similar species as all variations have forewings with blunt hook shaped tips.

<i>Scoparia rotuella</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Scoparia rotuella is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875. It is endemic to New Zealand and, although considered localised, is found throughout the country. As at 2022 the life history of this species is largely unknown, but it has been hypothesised that this species may have two broods a year. Adults are on the wing all year round and are attracted to light.

<i>Scoparia ustimacula</i> Species of insect

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.

<i>Apoctena taipana</i> Species of moth

Apoctena taipana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. The larvae created a silken tube in which they hide and also use to travel from leaf to leaf. They tunnel into the leaves of their host. Larvae can be found from June to August. Adult moths can be seen on the wing from October to January.

<i>Gadira acerella</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Orocrambus tuhualis</i> Species of moth

Orocrambus tuhualis is a 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, where it has been recorded in the South Island and Wellington in the North Island. This species prefers habitat that consists of swampy areas.

<i>Glaucocharis interruptus</i> Species of moth

Glaucocharis interruptus is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Cajetan von Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Musotima aduncalis</i> Species of moth

Musotima aduncalis, also known as the maidenhair fairy moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875. This species is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Eudonia pongalis</i> Species of moth

Eudonia pongalis is a 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.

<i>Eudonia trivirgatus</i> Species of moth

Eudonia trivirgatus is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875 as Crambus trivirgatus. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Declana egregia</i> Species of moth

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.

<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>Chalastra pellurgata</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Chalastra pellurgata, also known as the brown fern moth or the pale fern looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. This species is extremely variable both in its larval and adult life stage. Larvae of this species are active during spring and summer. They feed on the fronds of fern species. C. pellurgata pupates by forming a thin cocoon on the soil amongst leaf litter and moss. Adults are on the wing throughout the year but are most common from September to March. During the day adult moths can be observed resting on dead fern fronds. They become active from dusk and are attracted to light.

<i>Nymphostola</i> Genus of moths

Nymphostola is a monotypic moth genus in the family Oecophoridae or the family Depressariidae. The genus was erected by Edward Meyrick in 1883. Its only species, Nymphostola galactina, the tarata flat moth, was described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Ischalis fortinata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Ischalis fortinata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Achille Guenée in 1868. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North, South and Stewart Islands. The species inhabits native forest. The larval hosts of this species include Polystichum vestitum and Polystrichum richardii. Adults have been observed all year around but are most frequently seen from October to February.

<i>Pseudocoremia lupinata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pseudocoremia lupinata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in both the North and South Islands. The favoured habitat of this species is Kānuka scrubland as its larval hosts are species in the genus Kunzea. Both the larvae and adults of this species are nocturnal. Adult moths are commonly on the wing from December to June and are attracted to light.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Martin, N. A. (2016). "Factsheet: Cabbage tree moth - Epiphryne verriculata". landcareresearch.co.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
  2. ↑ Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 179. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-01-27. Retrieved 2018-01-17– via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
  3. ↑ Felder, Cajetan; Rogenhofer, Alois Friedrich (1864–1867). "Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara". Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 Unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. Von W. pt.9:Bd.2:Abt.2 (1864-1867) Atlas: Plate CXXXI fig 20 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. 1 2 3 Gaskin, D E (1966). The Butterflies and Common Moths of New Zealand. Christchurch: Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. p. 134.
  5. 1 2 3 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Ball, Olivier. Auckland: New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd. p. 94. ISBN   9781869663995. OCLC   891672034.
  6. 1 2 3 Early, John (2009). Know your New Zealand Insects and Spiders. Auckland: New Holland. p. 140. ISBN   9781869662530.
  7. 1 2 Guthrie, Ruth J.; Sullivan, Jon J.; Buckley, Hannah L. (2008). "Patterns of host damage by the cabbage tree monophage Epiphryne verriculata Feld (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) across urban, rural and native forest habitats". New Zealand Entomologist. 31 (1): 77–88. doi:10.1080/00779962.2008.9722169. S2CID   85932531 – via Researchgate.
  8. 1 2 "T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network - Epiphryne verriculata (Cabbage tree moth)". www.terrain.net.nz. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
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.