| Eurythecta robusta | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Tortricidae |
| Genus: | Eurythecta |
| Species: | E. robusta |
| Binomial name | |
| Eurythecta robusta | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Eurythecta robusta is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
This species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877 and named Zelotherses robusta. [3] Butler used specimens from James Hector that were collected on the Canterbury Plains. [3] Later in the same publication, thinking he was describing a separate species, Butler also named this moth Steganoptycha negligens. [4] In 1883 Edward Meyrick placed the species within the genus Eurythecta and synonymised both names given to the species by Butler. [5] [2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 publication The Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand. [6] The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]
Butler described the species as follows:
♂︎♀︎. Primaries sordid white, acute ; a broad oblique patch beginning just within the base of the discoidal cell and terminating in a point near to the centre of inner margin, a slender subcostal dash near the base, five spots on the apical half of costa, a squamose patch across the median veins, and the terminations of the nervures black-brown ; secondaries greyish, particularly towards the outer margin ; body sordid white : primaries below grey, the costal margin white, crossed by greyish spots towards apex ; secondaries paler grey, the costa white ; body below white. Expanse of wings 4+1⁄2 lines. [3]
Meyrick noted that the species is extremely variable in colour. [5]
E. robusta is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [7] The species has been found in North, Mid and South Canterbury. [8] The type locality of this species is likely Yaldhurst/West Melton in Christchurch and this area is now largely modified by the development of lifestyle blocks. [9] The species has occurred at Kaitorete Spit, Gore Bay, Porters Pass, McLeans Island, and has surviving populations at Ashburton, and at the mouths of the Rangitata and Hinds rivers. [9] Hudson stated that the species had been collected at Alexandra and Ben Lomond but there is some doubt as to whether this is the case. [6] [9]
The females of E. robust are flightless. [9] Adult males are on the wing from September until January. [9]
The larvae feed on low mat-forming herbs and turf plants. [8] The favoured habitat of the species consists of open stony grounds [8] or coastal grassland habitat. [6] [9]
This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [10] The main threat to this species is the destruction of its original habitat both by urban development and by farming practises. [9]
Bityla sericea is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
Stigmella progama is a species of moth in the family Nepticulidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation. S. progama has only been collected on Bold Peak in Otago.
Izatha huttonii is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the Wellington district of the North Island, the South Island, and Stewart Island. Although similar in appearance to related species I. huttonii can be distinguished as it has a distinctive "M" shaped mark on its forewings. The larvae feed on the dead wood of makomako and karamu. Adult moths have been collected from October to March.
Metacrias huttoni is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand where it is known from the eastern areas of the South Island. The female of the species is flightless and buff coloured where as the male is brightly coloured and flies during the day.
Petasactis is a genus of moths belonging to the family Tineidae. It contains only one species, Petasactis technica, which is endemic to New Zealand. This species has not been collected since prior to 1888. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
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.
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.
Ericodesma aerodana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. The species inhabits sand dunes and larvae feed on Pimelea prostrata. Adults are on the wing from October to January and are active at twilight. This species is classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation as its larval host plant is under threat from habitat loss and the invasive to New Zealand plant, sea spurge.
Gadira leucophthalma, commonly known as the beaked moss moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.
Gadira petraula is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. The 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes destroyed much of the habitat of this species.
Orocrambus sophronellus is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation.
Kiwaia pumila is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.
Arctesthes catapyrrha is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
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.
Asaphodes stinaria is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has previously been observed in both the North and South Islands. The range of this species has contracted and it has recently only been located in Westland, Otago and Southland. This species inhabits wetlands, tussock country, and in grassy openings in native forest. The larval host species has been hypothesised as being 'hairy' Ranunculus species however as at 2000 this hasn't been confirmed. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. There has been considerable reductions of the range of this species with it possibly becoming extinct in eastern parts of New Zealand.
Samana acutata 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.
Austrocidaria lithurga is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as at risk, naturally uncommon by the Department of Conservation.
Dasyuris enysii is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Austrocidaria anguligera is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is regarded as being uncommon but is frequently confused with Austrocidaria bipartita.
Ichneutica virescens is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, and is found in the southern North Island and throughout the South Island. The species is found in alpine, sub-alpine, and down to sea-level in grassland habitats. Adults are on the wing from November through to April. The likely larval host may be grasses, but larvae have been reared on a range of plants. The adults are similar to I. panda, I. falsidica and I. nobilia, but is distinguished by size, wing colouration, and antennae formation.
