Helastia angusta

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Helastia angusta
Helastia angusta male.jpg
Male
Status NZTCS REL.svg
Relict (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
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 and are attracted to light. [3] [8]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Relict". [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>Helastia</i> Genus of moths

Helastia is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae erected by Achille Guenée in 1868. 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>Helastia mutabilis</i> Species of moth

Helastia mutabilis is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest at lower altitudes and its larval host are moss species in the genus Racomitrium. This species is nocturnal and is attracted to light. It can easily be confused with the similar in appearance species Helastia alba and Helastia cinerearia.

<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>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 Buller, 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 and is found in the Wellington region as well as on Stephens and the Chatham Islands. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation. H. siris inhabits coastal tussock grassland. Little is known of the biology of this species. Adults have been observed on the wing in March and September. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light.

<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>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 ohauensis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia ohauensis is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the Mackenzie District in the South Island. Adults are on the wing in December and the species inhabits subalpine terrain.

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

Helastia salmoni is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in Fiordland in the South Island. Adults of this species are on the wing in January and are nocturnal and attracted to light. Although similar in appearance to Helastia corcularia, H. salmoni can be distinuished as its forewings are a lighter white-grey. This species was named in honour of John Salmon.

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

Helastia scissa is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed only in the Marlborough region of the South Island. Adults are on the wing in February, are nocturnal and are attracted to light.

<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.

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

Helastia farinata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by William Warren in 1896. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island. H. farinata inhabits shady and damp forest ravines.

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

Helastia plumbea is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. The species inhabits stream and river banks in montane to subalpine terrain. Adults are on the wing from October to April and are nocturnal and attracted to light. The life history of this species is, at 2024, poorly known but the larval host plants are likely mosses, herbs or possibly lichens.

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

Helastia semisignata is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the North Island. The life history of this species is in need of further investigation as sources differ about what plants host the larvae. Adults are on the wing commonly from October until March.

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

Helastia triphragma, also known as the angle carpet moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 and originally named Cidaria triphragma. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the South Island. It inhabits native scrub in coastal, lowland and montane areas. The larval host plant of this species is Helichrysum lanceolatum. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.

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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. 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. ↑ Carey Knox (2024). Butterflies & Moths of Aotearoa New Zealand. John Beaufoy Publishing. p. 56. ISBN   978-1-913679-66-8. Wikidata   Q130640046.
  9. ↑ 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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