Heterocrossa eriphylla

Last updated

Heterocrossa eriphylla
Heterocrossa eriphylla 95922730.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Carposinidae
Genus: Heterocrossa
Species:
H. eriphylla
Binomial name
Heterocrossa eriphylla
Meyrick, 1888 [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Carposina eriphylla(Meyrick, 1888)

Heterocrossa eriphylla, also known as the lichen snoutlet moth, is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island and the northern parts of the South Island. This species is regarded as relatively uncommon and inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on the healing wounds of New Zealand beech trees Fuscospora fusca and Fuscospora truncata. It pupates at its feeding site and emerges from December onward. The adult moth is nocturnal and is attracted to light. During the day the moth rests on lichen covered tree trunks where their lichen mimicking colouration assists with their camouflage.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888 using a specimen he collected in Wellington in January. [2] [3] In 1922 Meyrick classified Heterocrossa as a synonym of the genus Carposina. [4] [5] George Hudson followed Meyrick and discussed and illustrated this species under the name Carponsina eriphylla in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. [6] In 1978 Elwood Zimmerman argued that the genus Heterocrassa should not be a synonym of Carposina as the genitalia of the species within the genus Heterocrassa are distinctive. [4] In 1988 John S. Dugdale agreed with Zimmerman and assigned this species to the genus Heterocrossa. [2] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

Illustration of H. eriphylla larva by George Hudson. Fig 19 MA I437600 TePapa Plate-I-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of H. eriphylla larva by George Hudson.
Yellowish brown specimen of H. eriphylla. Heterocrossa eriphylla 247256595.jpg
Yellowish brown specimen of H. eriphylla.

Hudson described the larva of the species as follows:

Its length when full-grown is about 3⁄4 inch. Cylindrical, slightly tapering at each end with the segments deeply excised. The head is dark reddish-brown, the second segment with shining brown dorsal plate; back of rest of segments bright pink, slightly tinged with purple; ventral surface pale whitish, slightly tinged with blue; there is a row of rather large horny warts around segments 2, 3 and 4; a double series of sub-dorsal warts on the other segments, except the last, and three lateral lines of such warts. The legs and prolegs are well developed. [6]

The male adult of this species was described by Meyrick as follows:

Male. — 26 mm. Head and thorax whitish-greenish, shoulders olive-greenish. Palpi whitish-greenish, apex of basal joint and a band before middle of second fuscous. Antennae greyish-ochreous, basal joint dilated, whitish-greenish. Abdomen pale whitish-ochreous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints whitish, posterior pair pale whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, posteriorly slightly dilated, costa gently arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin straight, oblique ; pale greenish, irregularly irrorated with white, especially towards hindmargin ; about eight small black spots on costa, from which proceed obscure olive-green inwardly oblique strigulae ; three inwardly oblique pairs of large tufts in disc, olive-green anteriorly, white posteriorly, margined above and below by small black spots, first near base, second at 1⁄3, third at 2⁄3 ; a short black streak on fold between second pair, crossed by a cloudy black mark margining them anteriorly ; a slender white sinuate longitudinal line in disc between second and third pairs, unevenly black-margined, crossed by three or four irregular fine white strigae ; a sub-terminal series of small fine irregular black marks, angulated in middle ; hindmargin irregularly dotted with black scales : cilia whitish, towards base sprinkled with greenish. Hindwings and cilia whitish. [3]

H. eriphylla varies in the intensity of the green colouration on its forewings with some specimens being a yellowish-brown shade. [6]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [7] [1] This species is found in the North Island and northern parts of the South Island. [8] Specimens of this moth have been collected near the Wellington Botanic Gardens and at the Ōrongorongo Valley, [9] [10] as well as near Woodville in hill country. [11] This moth has also been collected at Paroa. [12] H. eriphylla is regarded as being relatively uncommon. [8] [13]

Habitat and host species

Host species Fuscospora truncata Nothofagus truncata in Hard beech forest.jpg
Host species Fuscospora truncata

H. eriphylla prefers native forest habitat. [8] The larvae of this species feed on the wood of trees such as species of beach Fuscospora fusca and Fuscospora truncata as well as Vitex lucens . [14] [13]

Biology and behaviour

The larvae of this species feed on the callus tissue generated by their host trees as a result of damage caused by other insects including Aenetus virescens . [8] [6] The larvae are believed to facilitate the development of rot in beech trees by keeping wounds open to the air. [15] Larvae are fully developed by October. [6] The species pupates at their feeding site and have been observed emerging in December. [8] [6] The adult moths have been observed on the wing all year round but are most frequently seen from September to April. [16] [13] This moth is a night flier and is attracted to light. [8] During the day the adult moths rest on tree trunks where their variable lichen mimicking colouration assists with their camouflage. [8] W. P. Cohen stated that he collected his specimens during the day while they were at rest on the trunks of weeping-willows. [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>Asterivora combinatana</i> Species of moth

Asterivora combinatana is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed at locations in both the North and South Islands. The larvae feed on Senecio bellidioides and Brachyglottis repanda either from within a silken gallery or alternatively a silken curtain under which they feed. It is double brooded with adults being on the wing from September until November and again from February until April. This species is a day flying moth. It is extremely variable both in colouration and in size. The female tends to be larger and paler than the male of the species.

<i>Izatha austera</i> Species of moth

Izatha austera is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The larvae of this species feed on dead wood by tunnelling into branches of its host species. The larvae matures from September and is on the wing in the months of December to January. The adult moth is variable in colouration but is seldom observed.

<i>Izatha caustopa</i> Species of moth

Izatha caustopa is a lichen tuft moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known very locally, and very infrequently, from the southern half of the North Island: two specimens collected in 2016 were the first seen for 30 years. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Heterocrossa canescens</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Heterocrossa canescens is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been observed in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and in the Southern Alps. The larvae of this species feed on the fruits and flowers of endemic to New Zealand species in the genus Gaultheria. Adult moths are on the wing in November and from January to March.

<i>Heterocrossa contactella</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Heterocrossa contactella is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be observed in both the North and South Islands. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest and scrub, especially where Leptospermum shrubs are found. Adults are on the wing in December and January.

<i>Heterocrossa epomiana</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa epomiana is a species moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Westland. Adults are on the wing in January. This species is visually very similar to H. gonosemana and to H. philpotti.

<i>Heterocrossa exochana</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa exochana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species feed on the fruits of Muehlenbeckia species. The adult is on the wing from September until May and are attracted to light.

<i>Heterocrossa gonosemana</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa gonosemana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. Larvae feed on seeds and fruit of Griselinia lucida and possibly Griselinia littoralis. They can be extremely active when disturbed. This species overwinters as a pupa, enclosed in a cocoon, underneath its host plant. Adults are on the wing from November until February and can be found during the day resting on lichen covered tree trunks where they are well camouflaged. The adult is nocturnal and is attracted to light.

<i>Heterocrossa iophaea</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa iophaea is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on the seeds of the mataī tree, Prumnopitys taxifolia. Adults are on the wing from October to February. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. During the day the adult moths rest on the trunks of trees or hide among the twigs and leaves on the ground.

<i>Isonomeutis amauropa</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Isonomeutis amauropa is a species of moth in the Copromorphidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand where it can be found on both the North and South Islands. I. amauropa inhabits native forest particularly forest dominated by Rimu and native beech trees. The larvae of this species consumes margarodid scale insects that live under the bark of these trees. When mature the larvae pupate in a cocoon made of silk and covered in twigs and frass. This cocoon is normally placed under the bark of the same tree the larvae inhabited. Adults of I. amauropa are on the wing from September to February.

<i>Pyroderces aellotricha</i> Species of moth

Pyroderces aellotricha, also known as the Cosmet moth, is a moth of the family Cosmopterigidae. It is found in New Zealand, in Australia and the Cook Islands.

<i>Ichneutica steropastis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Ichneutica steropastis, or the flax notcher moth, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country from the Three Kings Islands to Stewart Island as well as in the Chatham Islands. The larvae of this species feed on a variety of native and introduced plants however the New Zealand flax is one of the more well known host plants for the larvae of this moth. The larvae are nocturnal, hiding away in the base of the plants and coming out to feed at night. They create a distinctive notch in the leaf when they feed. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to March. Although adult specimens of I. steropastis are relatively easy to recognise they might possibly be confused with I. inscripta, I. theobroma or with darker forms of I. arotis. However I. steropastis can be distinguished as it has a long dark basal forewing streak that these three species lack.

<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>Reductoderces microphanes</i> Species of moth

Reductoderces microphanes is a moth of the family Psychidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. R. microphanes is a bagworm moth and its larvae likely feed on lichen or algae. Historically there has been some confusion over the identification of this species with George Hudson mistakenly describing and illustrating unnamed species and then attributing those descriptions and illustrations to this species. Charles Edwin Clarke discussed this species stating that it and its close relatives were active and able to be collected in damp mists before sunrise.

<i>Gadira leucophthalma</i> Species of moth

Gadira leucophthalma, the beaked moss moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the south eastern side of the South Island down to Banks Peninsula. G. leucophthalma inhabits the foredunes of coastal areas. The larval host is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larvae feed on moss. The adult moths are day flying although some specimens have been trapped at night via light traps. Adults are commonly on the wing from March to April. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Pyrgotis plinthoglypta</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pyrgotis plinthoglypta is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the whole country. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest. The larvae of this species feeds on rimu leaves from under a silken web. It pupates in loose cocoons amongst rimu foliage. Adults are on the wing from October to May and are night flying. They are attracted to light and can be collected by beating their host tree. The adult insect resembles a small dried fragment of rimu foliage when at rest.

<i>Ichneutica ceraunias</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Ichneutica ceraunias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found from the central North Island to the bottom of the South Island. Hosts of the larvae are species of Chionochloa and Festuca. This colourful moth is variable in appearance and can be mistaken for Ichneutica dione. Adults are on the wing from October to February.

<i>Ichneutica paracausta</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica paracausta is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found locally in the central North Island, is widespread in the South Island and can also be found in Stewart Island. I. paracausta is variable in colour, but as it has a distinctive black streak on its forewing as well as a wing pattern that is characteristic, I. paracausta is unlikely to be confused with other species. It is present on the North Island volcanic plateau as well as Little Bush Reserve in Hawkes Bay in the North Island as well as in tussock grassland, alpine and subalpine shrubland and in alpine forest. Larvae have been recorded as feeding on grasses, a pupa has been found in a cocoon under the bark of a tree and adult moths are on the wing from October to January.

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

Tingena siderodeta is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. This species prefers to inhabit native forest and scrubland but has also been found to be common in cultivated landscapes. The larvae are litter feeders and have been observed in Kanuka and Manuka forest. The adult moths are on the wing from October to February and are day flying but have also been trapped at night.

<i>Orthenches prasinodes</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Orthenches prasinodes is a moth of the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands in the Wellington, Canterbury and Southland regions. It inhabits native forest. The larval host are species in the genus Muehlenbeckia and larvae have been raised on Muehlenbeckia complexia. Adults are on the wing from December until March.

References

  1. 1 2 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.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). Lepidoptera – annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa (PDF). Vol. 14. pp. 1–269. ISBN   978-0477025188. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2018.{{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  3. 1 2 Meyrick, Edward (1888). "Notes on New Zealand Tortricina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 20: 73–76 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. 1 2 Zimmerman, Elwood (1978). Insects of Hawaii. Vol. 9. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press. p. 797. hdl:10125/7338. ISBN   9780824804879.
  5. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1922). "Lepidoptera Heterocera Fam. Carposinidiae". Genera Insectorum. fasc.176–180: 1–235 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 217. OCLC   25449322.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. ↑ "Heterocrossa eriphylla Meyrick, 1888". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hoare, Robert (2014). Moths & Butterflies of New Zealand. New Zealand: New Holland Publishers (New Zealand) Ltd. p. 43. ISBN   9781869663995.
  9. 1 2 Cohen, W. P. (1895). "Notes on rare Lepidoptera in Wellington". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 28: 377–379 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  10. ↑ Dugdale, J. S. (January 1995). "A new genus and species of New Zealand Carposinidae (Lepidoptera)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 22 (2): 213–216. doi:10.1080/03014223.1995.9518036.
  11. ↑ McGregor, Peter G.; Watts, P. J.; Esson, M. J. (January 1987). "Light trap records from southern North Island hill country". New Zealand Entomologist. 10 (1): 104–121. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.694.3746 . doi:10.1080/00779962.1987.9722515.
  12. ↑ Lyford, Brian M. (January 1994). "Lepidoptera and Trichoptera from Paroa, near Greymouth, New Zealand" (PDF). New Zealand Entomologist. 17 (1): 46–51. doi:10.1080/00779962.1994.9721984. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 Andrew Crowe (2017). Which New Zealand insect?. Auckland: Penguin Books. p. 40. ISBN   978-0-14-100636-9. OL   3731007M. Wikidata   Q105622564.
  14. ↑ "PlantSynz – Invertebrate herbivore biodiversity assessment tool: Database". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  15. ↑ Blakely, Tanya J. (2008). "Tree holes as habitat for aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates" (PDF). www.ir.canterbury.ac.nz. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  16. ↑ "Lichen Snoutlet (Heterocrossa eriphylla)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.