Helastia cinerearia

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Helastia cinerearia
Helastia cinerearia female.jpg
Female
Helastia cinerearia male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Helastia
Species:
H. cinerearia
Binomial name
Helastia cinerearia
(Doubleday, 1843) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Cidaria cinereariaDoubleday, 1843
  • Larentia cinerearia(Doubleday. 1843)
  • Xanthorhoe cinerearia(Doubleday, 1843)
  • Cidaria adonataFelder & Rogenhofer, 1875
  • Larentia diffusariaWalker, 1862
  • Helastia eupitheciariaGuenee, 1868
  • Larentia infusataWalker, 1862
  • Larentia inoperataWalker, 1862
  • Larentia invexataWalker, 1862

Helastia cinerearia is a moth of the family Geometridae. [3] It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands as well as on the Mercury and Chatham Islands. The preferred habitat of H. cinerearia includes urban gardens, various types of forest and sub alpine habitats. The larval host is lichen on rocks. The adult moths are on the wing all year round but are most commonly observed from September until February. Adult moths are nocturnal and have been observed feeding from and likely pollinating Hebe salicifolia , Hoheria lyallii and Leptospermum scoparium .

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Doubleday in 1843 and named Cidaria cinerearia. [4] George Hudson illustrated and discussed this species under the name Xanthorhoe cinerearia in 1928 in his book The moths and butterflies of New Zealand. [5] In 1939 Louis Beethoven Prout placed this species in the genus Larentia. [6] In 1971 J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Helastia and went on to confirm this placement in his 1988 publication Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. [7] [8] Robin C. Craw when revising the Helastia genus discussed this species in 1987. [2] The male lectotype specimen collected by Andrew Sinclair in Auckland is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [7]

Description

Observation of H. cinerearia. Helastia cinerearia 154339299.jpg
Observation of H. cinerearia.

This species was described by Edward Doubleday as follows:

Anterior wings acuminate, very slightly falcate, pale brownish-ash, with numerous fuscous strigae, mostly very slender, but occasionally uniting to form transverse bands, of which one, not very distinct, is situated near the base, another a little before, and a third a little beyond the middle, these two being very distinct near the costa, but almost obliterated near the inner margin. Near the outer margin, which is rather darker than the ground-colour of the wing, is a slender much-waved whitish striga, and near the middle of the costa is a minute white dot. Posterior ashy-white, rather shining, with numerous indistinct fuscous strigae. Antennae of the male emitting from their lower surface two stout pectinations of unequal length, closely approximating at their origin, clothed with a delicate silky pubescence ; at the base and apex these pectinations are very short. Palpi rather long. [4]

H. cinerearia is often confused with H. alba , H. christinae , H. mutabilis , and H. semisignata . [2]

Distribution

H. cinerearia is endemic to New Zealand. [1] This species is found in the North, South and Stewart Islands and has also been observed on the Mercury Islands and Chatham Islands. [2]

Habitat and hosts

This species has been found in a variety of habitats including urban gardens, various types of forest and sub alpine habitats. [2] The larval host is lichen on rocks. [9]

Behaviour

Adult moths are on the wing all year but are most commonly observed from September until February. [10] Adult moths of H. cinerearia fly during dusk and at the evening and can be taken a light, sugar and at blossoms. [11] Adult moths have been observed feeding from and likely pollinating Hebe salicifolia , Hoheria lyallii and Leptospermum scoparium . [12] Adults have been observed resting on stones, or bare ground, and is very partial to the sides of road cuttings where it sometimes occurs in considerable numbers. [5] It is also fond of resting on walls and fences. [5]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Pasiphila bilineolata</i> Species of moth

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

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<i>Epiphryne undosata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Epiphryne undosata, also known as the lacebark looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on plant species in the genera Hoheria and Plagianthus. They pupate amongst dead leaves in a silk cocoon. The adult moths have been observed on the wing all year round but are most commonly seen from November until February. The adult moths are extremely variable in both their colour intensity and wing pattern.

<i>Homodotis megaspilata</i> Species of moth

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.

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

Asaphodes imperfecta is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern part of the South Island. The species inhabits low lying swampy native forest. The host plants of the larvae of this species is unknown. The adults are on the wing in December and January. 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 angusta</i> Species of moth

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.

<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

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

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.

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

Helastia corcularia is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the South Island and the Chatham Islands. It inhabits a wide variety of habitats including native forest and scrubland, gardens, parks, subalpine and coastal areas. Larvae feed on herbs, lichen and moss. The adults of the species are on the wing from September until May and are nocturnal and attracted to light. H. corcularia is considered an orchard and pack house contaminant.

<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 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.

References

  1. 1 2 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.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  3. ↑ "Helastia cinerearia (Doubleday, 1843)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  4. 1 2 Dieffenbach, E. (1843). "List of Annulose Animals hitherto recorded as found in New Zealand with descriptions of some new species by Messrs. Adam White and Edward Doubleday". Travels in New Zealand: With Contributions to the Geography, Geology, Botany and Natural History of the Country. Vol. 2. London: John Murray. p. 286.
  5. 1 2 3 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, pp. 112–113, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  6. ↑ Prout, L. B. (1939). "Geometridae: Fauna Indo-Australica". The Macrolepidoptera of the World. 12: 265 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  7. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae" (PDF). Pacific Insects Monographs . 27: 55–172. ISSN   0078-7515. Wikidata   Q64006453.
  8. ↑ John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 180–181. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  9. ↑ Hamish J. H. Patrick; Mike H. Bowie; Barry W. Fox; Brian H. Patrick (2011). "The moths of Quail Island (Ōtamahua): a faunal comparison of an island under restoration with other sites on Banks Peninsula". New Zealand Natural Sciences. 36. doi:10.26021/583. ISSN   0113-7492. Wikidata   Q97665452.
  10. ↑ "Helastia cinerearia". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  11. ↑ George Vernon Hudson (1898), New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) , Illustrator: George Hudson, London, p. 67, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.7912, OCLC   980865393, Wikidata   Q19073637 {{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ↑ 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.
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