Glaucocharis pyrsophanes

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Glaucocharis pyrsophanes
Glaucocharis pyrsophanes female.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Subfamily: Crambinae
Tribe: Diptychophorini
Genus: Glaucocharis
Species:
G. pyrsophanes
Binomial name
Glaucocharis pyrsophanes
(Meyrick, 1882) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Diptychophora pyrsophanesMeyrick, 1882
  • Pareromene pyrsophanes(Meyrick, 1882)

Glaucocharis pyrsophanes is a moth in the family Crambidae. [3] It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country including the North, South and Stewart Islands. It inhabits native forest from lowland and subalpine altitudes. It is said to be common in sunny but damp forest openings. Larvae of Glaucocharis species feed on mosses and liverworts. Adults are on the wing from October until February. They are known to feed from and pollinate Leptospermum scoparium and Helichrysum selago.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882 and named Diptychophora pyrsophanes. [4] Meyrick gave a fuller description of this species in 1883. [5] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under that name in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [6] In 1971 David Edward Gaskin placed this species in the genus Pareromene. [7] However in 1985 Gaskin recognised that Glaucocharis must take precedence over Pareromene and placed G. pyrsophanes into that genus. [8] The female lectotype, collected at the Wellington Botanic Garden by Meyrick, is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

Illustration by Hudson. Fig 11 MA I437618 TePapa Plate-XIX-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration by Hudson.

Meyrick described this species as follows:

Male, female. — 13+1⁄2-16 mm. Head ochreous or brownish - ochreous. Palpi light yellowish-ochreous, externally more brownish. Antennae dark fuscous. Thorax rather dark purplish-fuscous. Abdomen dark purplish-fuscous, with a light yellowish ring near base. Legs clear whitish-ochreous. Forewings triangular, very broad posteriorly, costa very gently arched, apex rounded, hindmargin oblique, indentations moderately deep ; ochreous-brown, almost wholly suffused with dark purplish-fuscous except narrowly along hindmargin and more broadly at apex and anal angle, and finely irrorated with grey, especially towards costa and disc beyond middle ; a very small triangular yellow spot on inner margin at 1⁄4 ; an equally small rather subquadrate yellow spot on inner margin at 3⁄4 , with a pale yellow dot rather above and beyond its apex ; a very faintly perceptible darker transverse line from costa at 1⁄4 to first dorsal spot, sharply angulated outwards beneath costa ; a suffused darker spot in disc above and beyond middle ; a small outwardly oblique triangular pale yellow spot on costa at 3⁄4 , sometimes closely preceded by a faint oblique yellowish costal mark ; a very small suffused pale yellowish spot on costa before apex ; a dark fuscous dot in apex, preceded by a clear white dot; sometimes a white dot on hind margin in upper indentation ; a slender dark fuscous hindmarginal line : cilia whitish ochreous, with a dark grey line near base, on indentations wholly clear white, a dark grey spot at apex, another between indentations, a third above anal angle, a fourth on anal angle. Hindwings fuscous-grey, with a very indistinct darker line posteriorly ; a dark fuscous hindmarginal line ; cilia grey- whitish, with a grey line near base. [5]

This species is easily distinguished from similar appearing species in this genus as a result of its larger size and also its forewing pattern. Unlike G. planetopa it does not have an oval silvery kidney shaped patch on the forewings nor, unlike G. microdora , does it have the large yellow sigma shape on the first forewing line. [7] G. pyrosphanes can also be distinguished from G. microdora as it has broad white bars on the cilia of its fore-wings unlike the latter species. [6]

Hudson states that this species can vary in the intensity of ground colour and the extent and number of yellow markings. [6] He pointes out that South Island specimens tend to be paler with a more slaty hue to their forewings and smaller yellow markings. [6]

Distribution

Live G. pyrsophanes. Glaucocharis pyrsophanes 458562628.jpg
Live G. pyrsophanes.

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] This species is common and generally distributed throughout the country including Stewart Island. [6]

Habitat and hosts

G. pyrsophanes inhabits lowland to subalpine native forest. [7] It can be common in openings in forest particularly if they are damp but sunny. [6] Larvae of Glaucocharis species feed on mosses and liverworts. [9] Adults of this moth are known to feed from and pollinate Leptospermum scoparium and Helichrysum selago . [10] [11]

Behaviour

Adults are on the wing from late October until February. [7] When in flight this species is difficult to see as a result of its dark colouring and dizzying flight. [6]

Related Research Articles

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

Glaucocharis chrysochyta is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. Larvae appear to feed on moss and likely pupate there. Adult moths are on the wing from November to March. They fly at night and are attracted to light.

<i>Chersadaula ochrogastra</i> Species of moth

Chersadaula ochrogastra is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

<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>Glaucocharis helioctypa</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glaucocharis helioctypa is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the South Island. It can be found throughout the South Island and inhabits native forest in lowland to subalpine altitudes. It has an affinity for damp grassy open situations near native forest or scrub. Larvae of Glaucocharis species feed on mosses and liverworts. Adults are on the wing from November until February. It is dayflying and has been observed flying low over cushion bogs and moss fields. Adults have also been observed flying actively in the hottest sunshine.

<i>Glaucocharis holanthes</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glaucocharis holanthes is a moth of the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest or scrub and frequents rock-faces where moss grows. It is apparently attached to places having an exceptionally heavy rainfall. Larvae of Glaucocharis species feed on mosses and liverworts. Adults are on the wing from November to February. It flies very rapidly in hot sunshine and is an elusive insect to catch.

<i>Glaucocharis leucoxantha</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glaucocharis leucoxantha is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits native forest. Hudson states this species can be met with in South Island native beech forests at elevations of from 1,500 to 2,500 feet above the sea-level. Larvae of Glaucocharis species feed on mosses and liverworts. Adults are on the wing from November until February. This species is very variable in colouration and can be confused with G. lepidella. However it is smaller in size and the crescent shaped spot on its forewings is white or yellow rather than the silver of G. lepidella.

<i>Glaucocharis metallifera</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glaucocharis metallifera is a moth of the family Crambidae. It was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern half of the North Island and the northern half of the South Island. It inhabits native forest at lowland and subalpine altitudes and frequents banks of streams flowing through dense forest clad valleys. The larval host is moss and the larvae are very active and live in galleries in wet moss, on logs or stones in the forest. Adults are on the wing from October to February. It has been hypothesised that this species has two broods per year. Adults have been collected via netting at dusk.

<i>Glaucocharis microdora</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glaucocharis microdora is a moth of the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1905. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern parts of the North Island and the north and central parts of the South Island. It inhabits native forest at lowland to subalpine altitudes. The larvae of this species feeds on moss and adults are on the wing from November until February. It is similar in appearance to G. pyrsophanes but can be distinguished as G. microdora is of a smaller size and has bright yellow markings. It also lacks the broad white bars on forewings of G. pyrophanes.

<i>Glaucocharis parorma</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glaucocharis parorma is a moth of the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1924. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island. This species inhabits native forest from lowland to subalpine altitudes. Larvae of Glaucocharis species feed on mosses and liverworts. Adults are on the wing from October to February. This species is very similar in appearance to G. elaina but can be distinguished as a result of the black terminal dots on its forewings.

<i>Glaucocharis planetopa</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glaucocharis planetopa is a moth of the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1923. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only be observed on the South Island. G. planetopa inhabits native forest. Larvae of Glaucocharis species feed on mosses and liverworts. Adults are on the wing in January and February. As at 1971 the female of this species had yet to be collected.

<i>Glaucocharis stella</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glaucocharis stella is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1938. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North Island. Meyrick hypothesised that larvae of G. stella feed on moss. Adults are on the wing in October and November. The colouration of the forewings ensure that when resting with closed wings on rocks adults are highly camouflaged.

<i>Glaucocharis selenaea</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glaucocharis selenaea is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country from Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands to Southland including the Little Barrier and Great Barrier Islands. It inhabits native forest from lowland to subalpine altitudes. Larvae of Glaucocharis species feed on mosses and liverworts. Adults are on the wing from October until January and are attracted to light. It can be distinguished from the similar appearing G. metallifera as G. selenaea is smaller in size, the diagonal shaped band, the small round white discal spot and the black-marked veins in the near the end of the forewings.

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

Tingena compsogramma is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest and adults are on the wing from December until March.

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

Tingena eumenopa is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found in the North and South Islands. The adults have been found amongst tree ferns and are on the wing in 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 macarella</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Tingena macarella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. Adults of this species are on the wing from November until February. This species is attracted to light and the larvae are litter feeders.

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

Tingena pronephela is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern parts of the South Island. The species inhabits the outskirts of scrub and native forest. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to February.

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

Trachypepla lichenodes is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest and adults of this species are on the wing from November to January. The adult moths are similarly coloured to native lichen species however this colouration is variable in the extent and depth on the forewings.

References

  1. 1 2 "NZOR Name Details - Glaucocharis pyrsophanes (Meyrick, 1882)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 145. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Edward Meyrick (June 1882). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera (I.)". New Zealand Journal of Science. 1: 186. Wikidata   Q115108516.
  5. 1 2 Edward Meyrick (May 1883). "Descriptions of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. I and II. Crambidae and Tortricina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 15: 11–12. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q111013914. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 173, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. 1 2 3 4 David Edward Gaskin (1971). "A revision of New Zealand Diptychophorini (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae; Crambinae)". New Zealand Journal of Science. 14: 803–805. ISSN   0028-8365. Wikidata   Q110236267.
  8. ↑ David E. Gaskin (20 December 1985). "Morphology and reclassification of the Australasian, Melanesian and Polynesian Glaucocharis Meyrick (Lepidoptera : Crambinae : Diptychophorini)". Australian Journal of Zoology. Supplementary Series. 33 (115): 1. doi:10.1071/AJZS115. ISSN   0310-9089. Wikidata   Q54618937.
  9. ↑ Carey Knox (2024). Butterflies & Moths of Aotearoa New Zealand. John Beaufoy Publishing. p. 25. ISBN   978-1-913679-66-8. Wikidata   Q130640046.
  10. ↑ Richard B. Primack (July 1983). "Insect pollination in the New Zealand mountain flora". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 21 (3): 317–333. doi:10.1080/0028825X.1983.10428561. ISSN   0028-825X. Wikidata   Q54669862.
  11. ↑ "Glaucocharis pyrsophanes (Meyrick, 1882)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2013. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
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