| Gingidiobora subobscurata | |
|---|---|
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Gingidiobora |
| Species: | G. subobscurata |
| Binomial name | |
| Gingidiobora subobscurata | |
| Synonyms [3] | |
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Gingidiobora subobscurata is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation.
This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 and named Scotosia subobscurata. [3] Walker stated he examined a specimen collected in Auckland by T. R. Oxley. [4] This holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [3] In 1875, thinking they were describing a new species, Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer, Baron Cajetan von Felder and Rudolf Felder named the moth Cidaria ascotata and illustrated it. [5] This name was synonymised by Louis Beethoven Prout in 1927 when he placed the species within the genus Xanthorhoe . [6] Edward Meyrick also described this species in 1883 thinking it was new to science. [7] He named it Larentia petropola. [7] [8] Meyrick subsequently realised that the moth he described was the same species as that described by Walker. In 1884 Meyrick went on to synonymise his name with Scotosia subobscurata but placed the species within the genus Larentia. [9] [10] George Vernon Hudson discussed the species as Xanthorhoe subobscurata in 1898 and mentioned that both Scotosia subobscurata and Larentia petropola were synonyms. [11] Again using the name Xanthorhoe subobscurata Hudson also described and illustrated the species in 1928. [12] In 1987 Robin C. Craw placed this species within the genus Gingidiobora thus its current name is Gingidiobora subobscurata. [13]
Larvae of this species are green and smooth. [13]
Meyrick mentioned that the adults have a bluish tinge. [8] Hudson described the adult moth as follows: [11]
The expansion of the wings is 39mm. (1+1⁄2 inches). Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded dark grey, densely irrorated with bluish-whitish ; costa broadly suffused with ochreous-whitish anteriorly; a very obscure curved ochreous-whitish line towards base, anteriorly dark-margined ; two obscure curved subdentate adjacent whitish lines about one-third, followed by a dark line ; a blackish discal dot ; a very irregular dentate curved dark grey line beyond middle, followed by two adjacent whitish lines ; a sharply dentate obscure whitish subterminal line, anteriorly dark-margined. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; markings as in fore-wings, but more obscure, paler and more suffused towards base. [13]
G. subobscurata is endemic to New Zealand. [2] [14] This species has occurred in Nelson, [12] Otira Gorge at Arthur's Pass, [11] Queenstown, [12] and at Bold Peak at Lake Wakatipu. [12]
Adult moths are on the wing from January to March. [12] They are rare but tend to frequent bare rocky areas approximately 600m or more above sea-level. [12]
This species inhabits the higher-rainfall upland and montane sites of the South Island. [15] Larvae feed on Gingidia montana, [13] also known as mountain aniseed. [16] This is a plant that has been declining as a result of its attractiveness to browsing animals. [16]
G. subobscurata has been given the "At Risk, Declining" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [1]
Austrocidaria parora is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
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.
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.
Xanthorhoe bulbulata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.
Asaphodes cataphracta is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island. This species prefers grassy or tussock covered mountain side slopes as habitat. The adults of this species are on the wing from December until March. The larvae of A. cataphracta is known to consume native mountain buttercups (Ranunculaceae).
Asaphodes chlamydota is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, and can be found in the lower part of the North Island and in the South Island. It inhabits native forest and shrublands. The larvae of this species feeds on native Clematis plants including Clematis afoliata. Adults are on the wing from November to April and are regarded as having intermedia flight powers.
Xanthorhoe orophyla is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island in alpine habitat. This species has one brood a year and their larvae feed on cruciferous plants. Adults are on the wing from December to February and are attracted to light.
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.
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.
Xanthorhoe lophogramma is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and if found in the South Island. This species inhabits dry beech scrub but its larval host is unknown. Adult moths are on the wing in January. This species is classified as "At Risk, Nationally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Asaphodes cosmodora is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The adults of this species are on the wing in January and February.
Asaphodes helias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been found in the middle and southern parts of the South Island. This species frequents tussock and scrubby habitat. The host plants of the larvae of this species include Cardamine and Ranunculus species. They have also been witnessed feeding on exotic buttercup species in the genus Bellis. Adults are on the wing in January and February.
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.
Orthoclydon chlorias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Austrocidaria prionota is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the South Island and is regarded as being uncommon.
Asaphodes mnesichola is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. This species inhabits subalpine native scrub. Adults of this species are on the wing in January and February.
Asaphodes nephelias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is alpine tussock grasslands above native forest and in wetlands. The adults of this species are on the wing from January to March and are day flying. The female has brachypterous wings.
Asaphodes periphaea is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only been collected in the mountains near Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. The male is fuscous coloured sprinkled with whitish colouration. The female is brachypterous. The preferred habitat of this species are alpine bluffs as well as mountainous open country. This species is on the wing from January to March.
Asaphodes prasinias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found on both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest including beech forest and subalpine scrub. The range of this species has reduced as this species is regarded as being locally extinct in the previously inhabited open non-forest habitats around Invercargill. Adults are on the wing from November to January.
Asaphodes sericodes is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. This species inhabits open tussock grasslands in subalpine scrub or wetlands. The female of the species is likely semi-apterous and is flightless. The adult males are on the wing in January.
