Heterocrossa morbida

Last updated

Heterocrossa morbida
Heterocrossa morbida holotype.jpg
Male holotype
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Carposinidae
Genus: Heterocrossa
Species:
H. morbida
Binomial name
Heterocrossa morbida
(Meyrick, 1912) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Carposina morbidaMeyrick, 1912

Heterocrossa morbida is a moth of the Carposinidae family. [3] It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1912 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been observed in both the North and South Islands. Adults are on the wing from August until February and are said to frequent clumps of Hoheria lyallii .

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1912 using a male specimen collected by George Hudson on the banks of the Routeburn at the head of Lake Wakatipu in February and named Carposina morbida. [4] [5] Hudson, in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand, discussed this species under that name. [5] Alfred Philpott studied the male genitalia of this species in 1928. [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. [7] In 1988 John S. Dugdale assigned the species to the genus Heterocrossa. [1] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [1]

Description

Illustration of female Fig 20 MA I437623 TePapa Plate-XXIV-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of female

Meyrick described H. morbida as follows:

♂. 26 mm. Head ochreous-whitish. Palpi 2½, porrected, ochreous-whitish, basal half suffused with dark olive-grey. Antennal ciliations 4. Thorax ochreous-whitish, shoulders with an ochreous spot. Abdomen ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, rather narrow, posteriorly somewhat dilated, costa gently arched, apex obtuse, termen straight, rather oblique; silvery-whitish-ochreous, irregularly strewn with ochreous scales, costa and dorsum somewhat sprinkled with grey; a small brownish-ochreous basal patch, edge parallel to termen; six small shots of grey suffusion on costa between this and apex; tufts brownish-ochreous, posteriorly white—viz., one beneath costa at ⅓, preceded by a dash of black irroration, one beneath this towards dorsum, a larger one in disc beyond these, preceded by a black dash on submedian fold, two towards costa in and beyond middle edged with black beneath, one below middle edged with black above, and a ridge on transverse vein, irregularly edged with black anteriorly, between these in middle of disc is an elongate patch of grey suffusion; some scattered black irroration crossing wing at ⅚; cilia whitish, with two greyish shades. Hindwings and cilia whitish. Under-surface of forewings and hindwings largely clothed on anterior half with modified pale yellow-ochreous scales, on forewings anteriorly suffused with grey. [4]

Meyrick pointed out that the male of this species is only likely to be confused with H. exochana but differs, as the males of this latter species have much longer porrected palpi. [4]

Distribution

H. morbida is endemic to New Zealand. [2] Other than the type locality, this species has been observed in the Auckland and Wellington regions in the North Island, and at Mount Hutt, Arthur's Pass, the Homer tunnel area and Waiho Gorge in the South Island. [8] [9] [10]

Behaviour

H. lyallii. Hoheria lyallii 253832162.jpg
H. lyallii.

Hudson stated that the adults frequent clumps of Hoheria lyallii . [5] Adults have been observed on the wing from August until February. [8] [4]

Related Research Articles

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

Heterocrossa adreptella is a moth of the Carposinidae family. This species was long considered the New Zealand raspberry budmoth however this was a taxonomic misinterpretation of the type material used to describe this species. This error was corrected in 1988 with the New Zealand raspberry budmoth giving its own species name Heterocrossa rubophaga. H. adreptella is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the Wellington Botanic Garden and been observed resting on mānuka branches.

<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 ignobilis</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa ignobilis is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It was described by Alfred Philpott and is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Canterbury, in the South Island. Adults are on the wing in January.

<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 cryodana</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa cryodana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern parts of the South Island as well as at Codfish Island / Whenua Hou. This moth is associated with plants in the Leptospermum genus. Adults are on the wing from September until 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 eriphylla</i> Species of moth

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.

<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>Heterocrossa literata</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa literata is a moth of the Carposinidae family first described by Alfred Philpott in 1930. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed the Franz Josef Glacier in subalpine habitat on the West Coast. Adults are on the wing in January.

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

Heterocrossa maculosa is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the southern half of the South Island. Larvae feed on Hoheria angustifolia and Plagianthus regius. Adults are on the wing from November to January. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Heterocrossa sarcanthes is a moth of the Carposinidae family first described by Edward Meyrick in 1918. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Wellington. The adults of this species is similar in appearance to H. adreptella but can be distinguished from that species as H. sarcanthes has a pale pinkish-ochreous colour to the basal half of the hindwings.

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

Pyrgotis eudorana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic in New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. However it is regarded as a rare insect. This species inhabits native forest. Larvae exclusively feed on Muehlenbeckia australis and adults are on the wing from November to April. Adults are attracted to light.

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

Tingena chloritis is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the South Island. Larvae of this species feed on leaf litter. The adults of this species are light flyers and are attracted to light.

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

Tingena horaea is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and have been observed in both the North and South Islands. The adults are on the wing in January.

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

Tingena oporaea is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Canterbury. The perferred habitat of this species is native beech forest at altitudes of 2500 ft however it has also been collected in tussock grassland. The larvae of this species are leaf litter feeders and the adults are on the wing in January and February.

<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>Atomotricha versuta</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Atomotricha versuta is a moth in the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. The adults of the species are variable in appearance but the three principal variteis are connected b intermediate forms. The female of the species is brachypterous and is incapable of flight. Both the adult male and female have been observed resting on fences during cold winter nights.

<i>Trachypepla protochlora</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Trachypepla protochlora is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest and adults are on the wing from October until February. Adults can be variable in their green shaded colour as well as in the intensity of markings on their forewings. The greenish ground colouration of this moth ensures they are well camouflaged when at rest on green mosses and lichens.

References

  1. 1 2 3 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: 131. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  2. 1 2 "Heterocrossa morbida (Meyrick, 1912)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  3. 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.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Edward Meyrick (10 June 1912). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 44: 120. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q109393380.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  5. 1 2 3 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 218, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  6. Philpott, Alfred (1928). "The male genitalia of the New Zealand Carposinidae" (PDF). Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 59: 476–480.
  7. Zimmerman, Elwood (1978). Insects of Hawaii. Vol. 9. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press. p. 797. hdl:10125/7338. ISBN   9780824804879.
  8. 1 2 Alan Emmerson; Robert Hoare (28 October 2019). "Lepidoptera from Redvale, Albany, north of Auckland, New Zealand, 2004-2016: an annotated list". The Wētā. 53: 43–70. ISSN   0111-7696. Wikidata   Q105342215.
  9. George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 454, OCLC   9742724, Wikidata   Q109420935
  10. W George Howes (September 1946). "Lepidoptera collecting at the Homer, with descriptions of new species". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand . 76: 139–147. ISSN   1176-6166. Wikidata   Q62091906.