Helastia angusta

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Helastia angusta
Helastia angusta male.jpg
Male
Status NZTCS REL.svg
Relict (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Helastia
Species:
H. angusta
Binomial name
Helastia angusta
Craw, 1987 [1]

Helastia angusta is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Mackenzie and Otago Lakes districts of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is montane areas. Adults have been observed on the wing from October until December. As at 2000, the larval host species is unknown. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Robin C. Craw in 1987 using specimens collected by John S. Dugdale at Moke Lake and a specimen collected at the Humboltd Mountains. [2] [3] It has been stated that the separation of this species from its close relative H. expolita is controversial. [4] The male holotype specimen, collected at Moke Lake, is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. [2]

Description

Helastia angust male holotype Helastia angusta male holotype.png
Helastia angust male holotype

Craw described the species as follows:

Medium sized (r.f.l. 13.5-14.1 mm) narrowly falcate forewing. Upperside forewing coloured whitish purplish brown with darker transverse basal, antemedial and postmedial lines; oblique purplish brown apical streak. Postmedial line with distinct double toothed median projection; basal line evenly curved, no angular projection. Male antennae ciliated. [3]

Although similar in appearance to its relative H. expolita , H.angusta can be distinguished by its narrower forewing and the more rounded appearance of its underside basal line. [3] The entomologist Graham White has stated that the size of the discal dot in H. angusta is smaller than that of H. expolita. [4]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [5] It occurs in the Otago Lakes and Mackenzie areas. [6]

Habitat and host species

The preferred habitat of H. angusta is montane areas. [4] The host species for the larvae of H. angusta is unknown but it has been hypothesised it may be a shrub species. [6] Moth species closely related to H. angusta have larvae that feed Helichrysum lanceolatum . [4]

Behaviour

Adults have been observed on the wing from October until December. [7] This species is nocturnal. [3]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Relict". [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Helastia</i> Genus of moths

Helastia is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae erected by Achille Guenée. It is considered by some to be a synonym of Larentia. This genus was redefined and described in 1987 by Robin C. Craw. This genus is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Epichorista tenebrosa</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Epichorista tenebrosa is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in Otago and has been collected in tussock grassland habitats. It is a late autumn emerging moth and adults are on the wing in February. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Asaphodes adonis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It is found in native forest at altitudes of between 300 and 1200 metres. Larvae have been reared on species of Ranunculus. Adults are on the wing in January and February.

<i>Xanthorhoe bulbulata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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.

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

Asaphodes chlorocapna is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can only be found in the Chatham Islands. The larvae of this species consume the leaves of Muehlenbeckia plants. Adults are on the wing in January. This species is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Helastia clandestina</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia clandestina is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the South Island in and around Arthur's Pass. Adults have been collected on the wing in February and are nocturnal. Its preferred habitat is dry stony riverbeds and flood plains. The glossy blueish grey colouration of the adults of this species helps camouflage them against the rocks in their preferred habitat. H. clandestina is classified as having the conservation status of "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Helastia expolita</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia expolita is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and occurs in the Bulle, Marlborough, North and Mid Canterbury regions.This species inhabits short tussock grassland in montane to subalpine zones. Adult moths are nocturnal but little is known about the life history of H. expolita. Adults have been observed on the wing in November. It has been hypothesised the larvae of H. expolita feed on the flowers of Helichrysum species and then feed on mosses, lichens or shrubs growing nearby. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Helastia siris</i> Species of moth

Helastia siris is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Paranotoreas fulva</i> Species of moth

Paranotoreas fulva is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern half of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species are the salt pans of Otago, the mountainous grassland areas in South Canterbury and Otago and the glacial outwash terraces south of Tekapo. The larvae feed on Atriplex buchananii and Plantago coronopus. Adults are day flying and have been recorded as being on the wing in March, October and December. P. fulva is classified as "At Risk, Relict" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Asaphodes declarata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. This species prefers open tussock grassland habitat amounts beech forest and in mountainous terrain. It can be found at altitudes of between 450 and 1750 m. The adults of this species are on the wing from November to March. The moths can vary both in size and, with the female of the species, in markings.

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

Asaphodes dionysias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only known from mountainous areas in Central Otago. It lives in open grassy mountainous habitat at altitudes up to 1750 m. It is also known to live in wetland habitat. The larvae of this species feed on native herbs. The adults of this species are on the wing in January and February. The adult female of the species has reduced wing size in comparison to the male.

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

Asaphodes ida is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth can be found in upland or alpine habitat in Canterbury and Otago. Although not classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system this species is regarded as rare.

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

Asaphodes oraria is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern South Island and on Stewart Island / Rakiura. The male is pale yellow coloured and the female has severely reduced wings and is flightless. The habitat of this species is tussock grasslands on coastal sand dunes and in the mountains at elevations of approximately 4,000ft. The larvae have adapted to feeding on exotic lawn daisy species in the genus Bellis. The adults of this species are on the wing from November to April.

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

Asaphodes philpotti is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the South Island as well as one observation in Wainuiomata in the North Island. This species inhabits native forest and larvae are hosted by species in the genera Hydrocotyle and Cardamine.

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

Asaphodes recta is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern parts of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is open tussock grassland. The adults are on the wing in February and March. Larvae of this species have been reared on species in the genera Ranunculus and Bellis.

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

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.

<i>Helastia alba</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia alba is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the South Island. This species inhabits native forest or scrubland and can be observed in montane to subalpine Nothofagus dominant forests. It has also been observed at lower altitudes in native podocarp forests. Larvae of this species have been raised on mosses. Adults are on the wing from November to January and are nocturnal. This species is very similar in appearance to other species in the genus Helastia but specimens can be distinguished by the dissection of their genitalia.

<i>Helastia christinae</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia christinae is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Robin C. Craw in 1987. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been confirmed as being observed at Dunedin, and the Central Otago and Otago Lakes areas. H. christinae inhabits subalpine to lowland areas frequenting river banks and stream sides. The food source for the larvae of this species are lichens. The adults of this species are on the wing in October to December. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. Adult moths can be distinguished from similar appearing species in the genus Helastia as they have a "conspicuous transverse grey-ish white median band on the upper side of the forewing".

<i>Helastia cryptica</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia cryptica is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Robin C. Craw in 1987. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found from mid Canterbury south. This preferred habitat of H. cryptica is native forest and scrub at altitudes ranging from lowland to subalpine. It has also been observed in human modified habitat. The larvae of this species has been observed on Melicytus alpinus, likely feeding on perched dead leaves and have been hypothesised as feeding on epiphytic mosses. Adults are nocturnal and are on the wing from November until January. Externally this species is indistinguishable from its close relative H. cymozeucta. However the distribution of these two species can assist in the correct identification of specimens.

<i>Helastia cymozeucta</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia cymozeucta is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1913. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and the upper parts of the South Island. The adults of this species have been observed on the wing from November to January as well as in March.

References

  1. 1 2 "Helastia angusta Craw, 1987". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  2. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 68. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 R. C. Craw (April 1987). "Revision of the genus Helastia sensu stricto with description of a new genus (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 14 (2): 269–293. doi:10.1080/03014223.1987.10422997. ISSN   0301-4223. Wikidata   Q54670161.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Pawson, S.M.; Emberson, R.M. (2000). "The conservation status of invertebrates in Canterbury" (PDF). Conservation Advisory Science Notes. 320: 1–64.
  5. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 459. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  6. 1 2 Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. (2000). Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera (PDF). Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Conservation, New Zealand. p. 24. ISBN   0478218672. OCLC   154670803.
  7. ↑ "Helastia angusta Craw, 1987". www.gbif.org. 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  8. ↑ 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). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 7. ISBN   9781988514383.
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