Eurythecta phaeoxyla

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Eurythecta phaeoxyla
Fig 8 MA I437917 TePapa Plate-LVI-A-supplement full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tortricidae
Genus: Eurythecta
Species:
E. phaeoxyla
Binomial name
Eurythecta phaeoxyla
Meyrick, 1938 [1]

Eurythecta phaeoxyla is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. [2] It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1938. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Canterbury and Otago regions. The preferred habitat of this species is alpine swampy areas. The larvae feed on herbs and adults are on the wing in February.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1938 using specimens collected by Stewart Lindsay at Mount Torlesse, Canterbury above Porter's Pass in February. [3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1939 book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [4] The placement of this species in the genus Eurythecta is in doubt and as such this species is also known as Eurythecta (s.l.) phaeoxyla. [2] [1] The male holotype specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum. [5]

Description

Meyrick described this species as follows:

♂ ♀. 15 mm. Head, palpi, thorax ochreous, partly infuscated or mixed whitish. Forewings suboblong, hardly dilated, costa moderately arched towards base, then straight, termen almost straight, little oblique; ochreous-grey or grey; markings dark ochreous-brown, or dark fuscous marginally suffused ochreous; basal patch obscure, indicated mainly by a spot on costa at ⅕ and one in disc beyond it; central fascia moderate, oblique, straight-edged; some slight obscure mottling posteriorly; cilia light ochreous or greyish-ochreous. Hind-wings dark grey; cilia light greyish-ochreous, a grey subbasal line. [3]

Distribution

It is endemic to New Zealand. [1] This species has been observed in the Canterbury and Otago regions. [4] [6]

Habitat and hosts

The preferred habitat of this species consists of alpine swampy areas. [3] The larvae of E. phaeoxyla feed on herbs. [7]

Behaviour

Adults of this species have been observed on the wing in February. [4] [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Eurythecta phaeoxyla Meyrick, 1938". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  2. 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.
  3. 1 2 3 Edward Meyrick (1938). "New Species of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand . 67: 427. ISSN   1176-6166. Wikidata   Q89182470.
  4. 1 2 3 George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, pp. 387–481, OCLC   9742724, Wikidata   Q109420935
  5. John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 123. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  6. "Silverbirch Station Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review: Conservation Resources Report" (PDF). www.linz.govt.nz/. Land Information New Zealand. November 2002. p. 8. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  7. 1 2 Brian H. Patrick (1991). Insects of the Dansey Ecological District (PDF). Vol. 32. p. 15. ISBN   0-478-01285-3. ISSN   0113-3713. Wikidata   Q110318301. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2021.{{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)