Euxoa ceropachoides

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Euxoa ceropachoides
Euxoa ceropachoides 368657420.jpg
Euxoa ceropachoides from Kaitorete Spit, Canterbury Region
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Euxoa
Species:
E. ceropachoides
Binomial name
Euxoa ceropachoides
(Guenée, 1868) [1]
Synonyms
  • Agrotis ceropachoidesGuenée, 1868
  • Agrotis carapachoides
  • Euxoa cerapachoides(Guenée, 1868)

Euxoa ceropachoides, commonly known as Fereday's cutworm, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.

Contents

Taxonomy

Illustration of holotype specimen Fig 7. Plate LXI of Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British museum. (1903).png
Illustration of holotype specimen

This species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1898 using specimens collected by Richard William Fereday at Rakaia in Canterbury and given the name Agrotis ceropachoides. [2] [3] George Hudson discussed this species under this name in his 1898 book New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). [4] However Hudson's illustration of the species in that volume is mistakenly labelled Agrotis carapachoides. [5] In 1903 George Hampson placed this species within the genus Euxoa. [6] Hudson followed this placement when he discussed and illustrated the species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. [7] In 1988 John S. Dugdale, in his catalogue of all New Zealand Lepidoptera, also followed this placement but discussed the species under the name Euxoa cerapachoides, misspelling the species epithet. [8] [3] The appropriate genus for this species is still under debate as some experts disagree with Hampson's placement and believe the original genus is appropriate. [3] However, at present, the name currently used to refer to this species is E. ceropachoides. [9] [10] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [8] [3]

Description

The larvae of this species are brown-grey in colour with a broad lateral white band. [3] They grow to a length of 35mm. [3]

Guenée described this species as follows:

Superior wings somewhat dark grey, but entirely covered with long sulphur-coloured or greenish scales which obliterate all markings save the large black dots on the hinder margin ; however, with attention, one is able to see traces of the reniform stigma, and it is possible that, in better marked individuals, the other markings would be visible ; the fringe is long, grey, with the extremity white : the inferior wings are uniformly grey, with the fringes likewise long, whitish, divided by a dark line : beneath, all the wings are greenish-grey, powdered with black atoms on the costa; the superior have in addition, under the costa near the middle, a vague median cellular blotch, and a black dot at the base of the bristle. The thorax is broad, quadrate, darker grey than the wings, like the head, without any line. Palpi very hairy ; the third joint thin, lost amid the hairs of the second. Antennae long, acute, and furnished with long ciliated laminae. [2]

When describing this species, Guenée used a dull grey colour morph for the holotype and Hudson used the same morph for his illustration in 1898. [3] E. ceropachoides is variable in colour and the dull grey colour morph makes up less than 10 percent of the males of the species. [3] The variability in colour has led E. ceropachoids specimens to be confused with the species Agrotis innominata . [3]

Distribution

Euxoa ceropachoides has been found in central Canterbury Region in places such as Rakaia, and the Kaitorete Spit (pictured) Aerial view Kaitorete Spit.jpg
Euxoa ceropachoides has been found in central Canterbury Region in places such as Rakaia, and the Kaitorete Spit (pictured)

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [10] It can be found in Canterbury and, other than its type locality of Rakaia, has also been found at Kaitorete Spit. [3]

Biology and behaviour

The larvae of this species are nocturnal and feed at night. [3] During the day, they bury themselves in their sandy habitat. [3] They also pupate in cocoons at a shallow depth in the sand. [3] It has been hypothesised that the female of the species is short winged and flightless. [3] This species is a winter to early spring emerging species and the males are on the wing from June to mid September. [3] Adult male moths are attracted to light. [3]

Host species and habitat

The species prefers coastal sand dune habitat. [3] The larvae of E. ceropachoides feed on both native and exotic grasses and herbs including Calystegia soldanella . [3]

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "Not Threatened" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [9]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 "Euxoa ceropachoides (Guenee, 1868)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 Guenée, Achille (1868). "New species &c, of heterocerous Lepidoptera from Canterbury, New Zealand collected by Mr R.W. Fereday". The Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. 5: 1–6, 38–43. 61–65, 92–95. ISSN   0013-8908 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Patrick, Brian (2013). "Investigation of a data deficient moth taxon: Agrotis ceropachoides". The Weta. 46: 28–37. Archived from the original on 2018-01-29. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  4. ↑ Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & co. p. 32. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7912. OCLC   727236768 . Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  5. ↑ Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & Co. pp. Plate VI. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7912. OCLC   727236768 . Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  6. ↑ Hampson, George Francis (1903). "Catalogue of the Noctuidae in the Collection of the British Museum". Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum. 4: 174 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  7. ↑ Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 47. OCLC   25449322.
  8. 1 2 Dugdale, John S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 213. ISBN   0477025188. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-01-27. Retrieved 2018-05-28– via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
  9. 1 2 Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). "Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 9.
  10. 1 2 Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 461. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
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