Gadira leucophthalma

Last updated

Gadira leucophthalma
Gadira leucophthalma male.jpg
Male
Status NZTCS NV.svg
Nationally Vulnerable (NZ TCS) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Subfamily: Crambinae
Tribe: Chiloini
Genus: Gadira
Species:
G. leucophthalma
Binomial name
Gadira leucophthalma
(Meyrick, 1882)
Synonyms
  • Thinasotia leucophthalmaMeyrick, 1882
  • Thisasotia leucophthalma(Meyrick, 1882)
  • Talis leucophthalma(Meyrick, 1882)

Gadira leucophthalma, the beaked moss moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the south eastern side of the South Island down to Banks Peninsula. G. leucophthalma inhabits the foredunes of coastal areas. The larval host is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larvae feed on moss. The adult moths are day flying although some specimens have been trapped at night via light traps. Adults are commonly on the wing from March to April. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882 from specimens collected in the Port Hills near Lyttelton and named Thinasotia leucophthalma. [2] Thinasotia was a misspelling by Meyrick of the genus Thisanotia. [3] Meyrick gave a more detailed description of the species in 1883. [4] In 1895 George Hampson placed this species within the genus Talis. [5] This placement was followed by Meyrick in 1913, [6] George Vernon Hudson in 1928, [7] and in 1930 by Alfred Philpott, who studied the male genitalia of the species. [8] In 1973 David E. Gaskin assigned the species to the genus Gadira. [9] The lectotype specimen of this moth is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [3]

Description

Gadira leucophthalma observed by Dr Robert Hoare. Gadira leucophthalma 117515954.jpg
Gadira leucophthalma observed by Dr Robert Hoare.

Meyrick described this species as follows:

Male, female. — 19-23 mm. Head light greyish-ochreous, sometimes fuscous-tinged. Palpi light greyish-ochreous, strongly mixed with blackish-fuscous, labial palpi very long. Antennae greyish-fuscous. Thorax light greyish-ochreous, more or less strongly mixed with blackish-fuscous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous, suffusedly irrorated with dark fuscous. Legs whitish-ochreous, irrorated with dark fuscous ; anterior and middle tibiae and tarsi suffused with blackish except at apex of joints, posterior tarsi dark fuscous towards base of joints. Forewings moderately broad, triangular, costa very slightly arched, somewhat bent before apex, apex obtusely pointed, hindmargin moderately oblique, rather strongly sinuate below apex ; ochreous-whitish, when fresh slightly pinkish or purplish-tinged, thickly and coarsely irrorated with dark fuscous, towards inner margin slightly more ochreous-tinged, and towards disc more or less strongly suffused with light ochreous-fuscous ; a small irregular black spot on inner margin almost at base, and a similar one below costa almost at base ; an irregular sinuate longitudinal black streak, attenuated at extremities, extending almost from base along submedian fold to 1⁄3 from base ; an elongate-ovate black spot in disc rather above and beyond posterior extremity of the sinuate streak, anterior end rather acute ; a rather ill-defined dark fuscous transverse line, preceded by a pale line, from costa at 2⁄5 to middle of inner margin, most distinct on costal half, twice dentate beneath costa, bent round posterior extremity of the black spot, and again twice dentate above inner margin ; a short suffused inwardly oblique dark fuscous mark on costa beyond middle ; a sharply-defined obliquely transverse elongate white black-margined spot in disc at 3⁄5, upper part slightly greyish-tinged ; a double indistinctly dentate dark fuscous transverse line, enclosing a pale line, from about 4⁄5 of costa to inner margin a little before anal angle, upper third rather inwardly oblique, lower two-thirds strongly outwards-curved, forming indistinct spots on costa and in middle : cilia ochreous-whitish, with two ill-defined dark grey lines. Hindwings whitish-fuscous-grey, with an indistinct darker band along hindmargin, not extending to anal angle, closely preceded by an indistinct suffused dark line ; cilia ochreous-whitish, with a broad fuscous-grey line near base, and a much fainter one posteriorly. [4]

This species is visually very similar to Gadira petraula but it can be distinguished as G. leucophthalma is slightly larger and the edges of its forewings are more lightly coloured. [10] Both G. leucophthalma male and females have variable colour patternation on their wings. [11] The females have variable wing length. [11]

Distribution

Lyttelton hills, type locality of G. leucophthalma. Lyttelton Harbour 30.jpg
Lyttelton hills, type locality of G. leucophthalma.

G. leucophthalma is endemic to New Zealand. [12] [13] It is found south eastern side in the South Island on the Along with its type location of Lyttelton hills, this species has also been collected on Mount Gray, [7] on Kaitorete Spit, [14] [15] [16] and on Banks Peninsula, [10] all in Canterbury. G. leucophthalma is also recorded as being present at Cloudy Bay. [11]

Biology and behaviour

Meyrick originally collected adults of the species in March but subsequently took it in December. [17] Specimens have also been collected in November. [7] However it is more commonly seen from March to April. [15] The species is a day flying moth although some specimens have been trapped at night with UV light. [11]

Habitat

G. leucophthalma prefers to inhabit foredunes. [15] The species has also been found to inhabit areas of bristle-grass with moss present. [11]

Host plants

The host plants of this species is unknown although it has been hypothesised that the larvae feed on moss. [11]

Conservation status

This species has the "Nationally Vulnerable" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Maoricrambus</i> Genus of moths

Maoricrambus is a genus of moths of the family Crambidae. It contains only one species, Maoricrambus oncobolus, which is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Izatha apodoxa</i> Species of moth

Izatha apodoxa is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from scattered localities in the southern North Island. This species is variable in appearance and comes in two forms, a grey form and a black and white form. In the grey form it is very similar in appearance to I. notodoxa and in the black and white form to I. katadiktya. At present the larvae and biology of this species is unknown.

<i>Gadira petraula</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Gadira petraula is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in mid Canterbury. G. petraula inhabits coastal, montane and low alpine rock sites. The larvae live in rock crevices in a silk shelter from which they emerge to feed. Their host plants are moss or lichens. The adult female is flightless and the male is on the wing in March. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. The 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes destroyed much of this species preferred habitat. Rock climbers cleaning rocks of the larval host plants are also a threat to the survival of this species.

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

Glaucocharis lepidella is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1866. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Island. The species inhabits lowland to subalpine native forest. Larvae may feed on mosses. Adults are on the wing from November to February and are attracted to light.

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

Glaucocharis harmonica is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. It inhabits lowland to subalpine native forest. It has been hypothesised that there are two broods per year. The larval hosts are unknown. Adults are on the wing from October until January.

<i>Pyrgotis eudorana</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pyrgotis eudorana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic in New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. However it is regarded as a rare insect. This species inhabits native forest. Larvae exclusively feed on Muehlenbeckia australis and adults are on the wing from November to April. Adults are attracted to light.

<i>Pyrgotis transfixa</i> Species of moth

Pyrgotis transfixa is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Pyrausta comastis</i> Species of moth

Pyrausta comastis is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as "nationally vulnerable" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Antiscopa acompa</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Antiscopa acompa is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1884. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found both the North and South Islands. The species inhabits native forest and adult moths are attracted to light.

<i>Antiscopa elaphra</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Antiscopa elaphra is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. Adults of this species are on the wing from August until March and are attracted to light. In 2020 this species had its DNA barcode sequenced.

<i>Asaphodes albalineata</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Asaphodes albalineata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed on Stewart Island / Rakiura. This species is similar in appearance to Asaphodes oraria but can be distinguished as it has an unusual pattern on the underside of its hindwings. It inhabits open hill tops and adults are on the wing in December.

<i>Asaphodes camelias</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Asaphodes camelias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, has been observed in both the North and South Islands and inhabits native forest. The adults of this species are on the wing from February to May and July to September.

<i>Austrocidaria lithurga</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Ichneutica panda</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica panda is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and only found in central and southern parts of the South Island. The species has not been collected in Canterbury since the late 1950s and has not been seen at The Wilderness scientific reserve since 1941. This species is similar in appearance to Ichneutica falsidica however I. panda lack or have indistinct black dashes on their edge of their hindwings. I. panda inhabit shrubland from alpine zones down to river terraces and adults are on the wing between December and February. The life history of this species is unknown as is the host species of the larvae.

<i>Asaphodes limonodes</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes limonodes is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits damp native forest. Adults are on the wing from November until March.

<i>Ichneutica paracausta</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica paracausta is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found locally in the central North Island, is widespread in the South Island and can also be found in Stewart Island. I. paracausta is variable in colour, but as it has a distinctive black streak on its forewing as well as a wing pattern that is characteristic, I. paracausta is unlikely to be confused with other species. It is present on the North Island volcanic plateau as well as Little Bush Reserve in Hawkes Bay in the North Island as well as in tussock grassland, alpine and subalpine shrubland and in alpine forest. Larvae have been recorded as feeding on grasses, a pupa has been found in a cocoon under the bark of a tree and adult moths are on the wing from October to January.

<i>Tingena brachyacma</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Tingena brachyacma is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the south of the South Island. This species inhabits open swamps, native forest and scrubland and has been collected amongst Leptospermum. The adults of the species are on the wing in November and December.

<i>Tingena horaea</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Tingena horaea is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and have been observed in both the North and South Islands. The adults are on the wing in January.

<i>Tingena oxyina</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Tingena oxyina is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Otago region. This species inhabits native beech forest at altitudes of between 1000 - 3000 ft. Adults of this species are on the wing in January.

<i>Trachypepla photinella</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Trachypepla photinella is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Wellington, Wainuiomata, D'Urville Island and Christchurch. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest and adults are on the wing from December until February.

References

  1. 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: 6.
  2. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1882). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera (I.)". New Zealand Journal of Science. 1: 186–187 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera-annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–264. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-01-27. Retrieved 2018-05-05– via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
  4. 1 2 Meyrick, Edward (1883). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 15: 3–68. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  5. ↑ Hampson, George F. (1895). "On the classification of the Schoenobiinae and Crambinae, two subfamilies of moths of the family Pyralidae". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1895: 897–974. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  6. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1913). "A Revision of the New Zealand Pyralidina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 45: 30–51 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  7. 1 2 3 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 172.
  8. ↑ Philpott, Alfred (1930). "The Male Genitalia of the New Zealand Crambidae". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 60: 491–514.
  9. ↑ Gaskin, David E. (1973). "Revision of New Zealand Chilonini (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) and redescription of some Australian species". New Zealand Journal of Science. 16: 435–463.
  10. 1 2 "Gadira petraula". Gadira petraula (Meyrick, 1883). Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. Archived from the original on 2018-02-04. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dugdale, John S. (2001). Cloudy Bay coastal habitats: entomological values of the foreshore and associated inland habitats (PDF). Nelson, N.Z.: Department of Conservation, Nelson/Marlborough Conservancy. p. 13. ISBN   978-0-478-22083-4. OCLC   81750966.
  12. ↑ "Gadira leucophthalma (Meyrick, 1882)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  13. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 457. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  14. ↑ Gaskin, David E. (1987). "Supplement to New Zealand Crambinae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) — corrections, description of females of two species, and notes on structure, biology, and distribution". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 14 (1): 113–121. doi: 10.1080/03014223.1987.10422688 .
  15. 1 2 3 Patrick, Brian (1994). "Lepidoptera of Kaitorete Spit, Canterbury". New Zealand Entomologist. 17: 52–63. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.580.6402 . doi:10.1080/00779962.1994.9721985.
  16. ↑ Debbie Hogan; Scott Hooson (6 June 2017). Christchurch District Plan Site of Ecological Significance: Kaitorete Spit (PDF) (Report). Christchurch City Council. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  17. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1885). "Descriptions of New Zealand micro-lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 17: 121–140 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
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.