Helastia siris

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Helastia siris
Helastia siris 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. siris
Binomial name
Helastia siris
(Hawthorne, 1897) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Asaphodes sirisHawthorne, 1897

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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by E. F. Hawthorne in 1897 using a specimen he collected in Wellington (specifically at Cape Terawhiti) [3] and named Asaphodes siris. [4] [2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1898 book under the same name and in his 1928 book as a synonym of Hydriomena triphragma. [5] [6] In 1987 Robin C. Craw placed this species within the genus Helastia. [7] The holotype specimen is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. [2]

Description

Helastia siris by C. Stephens Helastia siris 436486019.jpg
Helastia siris by C. Stephens

Hudson described the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about 7⁄8 inch. The fore-wings are dull ochreous ; there is a small curved brown patch near the base ; then a pale band, followed by a very broad brown central band, paler in the middle ; there is a very sharp projection on the outer edge of the central band, a conspicuous black dot in the centre of the wing, and a series of minute black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, with a faint central transverse line. [5]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [8] [1] It occurs in Wellington, Stephens Island and in the Chatham Islands. [7] It has been collected from Baring Head. [9]

Biology and lifecycle

Very little is known about the biology of H. siris. [10] It is on the wing in March and September, is nocturnal and is attracted to light. [5] [11]

Host species and habitat

Underside of wings of H. siris. Helastia siris 436485505.jpg
Underside of wings of H. siris.

This species prefers short tussock grassland habitat in coastal areas. [7] The host species for the larvae of H. siris is unknown. [10] It has been hypothesised the larvae of H. siris feed on the flowers of Helichrysum species and then feed on mosses, lichens or shrubs growing nearby. [12]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Relict". [13]

Related Research Articles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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<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.

<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 siris (Hawthorne, 1897)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  2. 1 2 3 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 181. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  3. ↑ Brian H. Patrick (1994), Coastal butterflies and moths of Wellington and South Wairarapa. (PDF), Wikidata   Q110426707, archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2021
  4. ↑ Hawthorne, E. F. (1897). "Descriptions of two new species of Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 29: 282–283 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. 1 2 3 Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & Co. p. 55. OCLC   10581623.
  6. ↑ Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 98. OCLC   25449322.
  7. 1 2 3 Craw, R. C. (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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Crisp, Philippa (2008). "Baring Head ecological values" (PDF). www.gw.govt.nz. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  10. 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   978-0478218671. OCLC   154670803.
  11. ↑ Carey Knox (2024). Butterflies & Moths of Aotearoa New Zealand. John Beaufoy Publishing. p. 56. ISBN   978-1-913679-66-8. Wikidata   Q130640046.
  12. ↑ Patrick, Brian (2014). "Of lichens and mosses" (PDF). Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. 11: 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2017.
  13. ↑ 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. 8. ISBN   9781988514383.
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