Hierodoris extensilis

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Hierodoris extensilis
Status NZTCS NU.svg
Naturally Uncommon (NZ TCS) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Oecophoridae
Genus: Hierodoris
Species:
H. extensilis
Binomial name
Hierodoris extensilis
Hoare, 2012 [2]

Hierodoris extensilis is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in Fiordland where it has been collected from Mount Titiroa and Mount Burns. It occurs in granite sand plains and gravel field habitat and has been collected in early February. As at 2012 the host plant of the larvae of this species is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larvae may feed on plant roots given the long ovipositor of the female. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Contents

Taxonomy

Shore of Lake Manapouri with Mt Titiroa, the type locality of this species, in the background Shore of Lake Manapouri with Mt Titiroa in the background.jpg
Shore of Lake Manapouri with Mt Titiroa, the type locality of this species, in the background

This species was first described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2012 and named Heliostibes extensilis. [2] [3] The male holotype specimen, collected at Mount Titiroa in Fiordland, is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. [3]

Description

The wingspan of the male H. extensilis moth is 13–15.5 mm and the female is 12–17.5 mm. [3] This species is visually similar to its close relatives Hierodoris frigida, H. polita and H. gerontion. [3] H. extensilis can be distinguished from both H. frigida and H. polita as it has a whitish hind-wing base. [3] It has a white-scaled surface to its exterior labial palpi and does not have the transverse white forewing fascia of H. polita. [3] H.extensilis can be distinguished from H. gerontion as H. extensilis has shining leaden scales on its forewings, a dark fringe but does not have the curved white subbasal fascia of H. gerontion. [3]

The female of this species has an extremely long telescopic ovipositor. [3] It has been hypothesised that this feature enables the females to lay eggs beneath the surface of the sand close to host plant roots. [3]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [2] It is only found in Fiordland where it has been collected from Mount Titiroa and Mount Burns. [3]

Biology and behaviour

H. extensilis has been collected in early February. [3] It is a day flying moth. [3]

Habitat and host plants

This species occurs in granite sand plains and gravel field habitat. [4] [5] The host plant of the larvae of this species is unknown. [3]

Conservation status

H. extensilis has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [1]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Hierodoris atychioides</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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<i>Hierodoris electrica</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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<i>Hierodoris iophanes</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris iophanes is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1912. This species can be distinguished from others in its genus by the purple metallic colouration as well as the blue-white mark on its forewings. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it has been recorded from Auckland to Southland. This species inhabits native forest or scrub, with the adults preferring open glades. They are known to be on the wing from November until February and fly during daylight hours, being active on hot sunny days. Larvae feed on the interior of twigs of Prumnopitys ferruginea. The twigs had evidence of oviposition scars of cicadas and the larvae were collected in October after reddish-brown frass indicated their location within the twigs.

<i>Hierodoris stella</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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<i>Hierodoris bilineata</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

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<i>Hierodoris polita</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris polita is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the Central Otago region and in the Dunedin area. As at 2005 the larvae have yet to be identified. However it is possible that a specimen may have been collected in leaf litter thus leading to the hypothesis that the species may be a detritivore. The adults of this species prefer open habitat and have mainly been collected on south-facing rocky bluffs. The adult moths are on the wing in October, November and January to March. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Hierodoris tygris</i> Species of moth

Hierodoris tygris, also known as the Titirangi Tyger, is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the Auckland and Wellington regions. The larvae of this species is unknown as are the larval host species. Adults have been found on the wing from December to March with one specimen collected in early May. It is a nocturnal species that is attracted to light and has been collected with the use of a mercury vapour lamp. This species is classified as "Not Threatened" by the Department of Conservation.

Hierodoris huia is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is only known from two sites in Titirangi that are approximately 1 to 2 km apart. H. huia is suspected to be a forest canopy-dweller. This species is on the wing in January. Although the adult moths are attracted to light it has been hypothesised that it is a diurnal species on the basis of the behaviour the species exhibit when light trapped. The species was named in honour of the extinct bird species, the huia, as well as the type locality of Huia Road, Titirangi. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Hierodoris eremita</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris eremita is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found in the areas around Aoraki / Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Park areas. This species inhabits alpine herbfields at altitudes of around 900–1400 m. Larvae are said to have been reared on the leaves of plants in the Celmisia genus. Pupation happens on the host plant. The adults of this species is on the wing between December and June. This species is day flying.

<i>Hierodoris frigida</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris frigida is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the South Island. This species is found in two parts of that island, the Nelson/Tasman area and the Mackenzie, Otago and Dunedin areas in the southern part of the island. Although similar to H. iophanes this species can be distinguished as H. frigida has white bands on its forewings and the metallic coloured areas differ in placement. Segment 2 on the labial palp is entirely yellow and enables this species to be distinguished from the similar appearing species H. polita and H. torrida. Larvae have been collected amongst leaf litter from beneath species within the genus Thymus. It prefers open and shrubland habitats and adult moths have been observed flying close to the soil underneath Leptospermum scrub.

Hierodoris gerontion is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the alpine zones of the mountain ranges in Central Otago. This species prefers habitat near seepages and is also common in fellfields. H. gerontion is variable in appearance with the hindwings varying in appearance from white to a darkened brownish shade. It can be distinguished from other species in the Hierodoris genus as on the second segment of the labial palpi it has sub-erect scales giving the appearance of a shaggy beard. The larvae of this species has yet to be described.

Hierodoris pachystegiae is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only been collected at Kaikōura. The larval host are plants in the genus Pachystegia which is found only in the Marlborough region. The larvae of this species have yet to be described from life but the adults of this species are predominantly grey in colour. The forewings of this species have silver markings similar to that of H. electrica.

<i>Hierodoris squamea</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris squamea is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the mountains of Fiordland as well as the Olivine Range in south Westland. This species has a wingspan of between 12 and 13 mm and can be distinguished from similar species as it is very small in size, has a reduced eyespot on its forewings, clearly visible through Scanning Electron Microscope preparations, and has orange-yellow scales overlaying its dark forewing. It prefers open country of tussock grasslands and herbfields at high altitudes. As at 2005 the larvae is unknown. Adults are on the wing in January.

<i>Hierodoris s-fractum</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris s-fractum is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found only in the southern parts of the South Island. The male is larger than the female. This species is very similar in appearance to H. eletrica however H. s-fractum has an interrupted silver S-mark on the forewing and longer labial palps. The larvae has not yet been described. Hoare hypothesised that the larvae of this species likely feeds on leaf-litter. The species seems to prefer open dry areas and can be found in native shrub and gorse.

<i>Hierodoris insignis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris insignis is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the Nelson/Tasman districts. The larvae are leaf miners and are hosted by Celmisia species. Adults are on the wing in January. It is likely that this species belongs to another genus and as such this species is also known as Hierodoris (s.l.) insignis or 'Hierodoris' insignis.

<i>Hierodoris stellata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Hierodoris stellata is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in Fiordland and Dunedin. This species has been found in coastal native forest. Larvae feed on Astelia flower-spikes and adults are on the wing in late December and January. It has been stated that this species belongs to the genus Charixena however this placement has yet to be published. As such this species is currently known as Hierodoris (s.l.) stellata or 'Hierodoris'stellata.

References

  1. 1 2 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). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 8.
  2. 1 2 3 "Hierodoris extensilis Hoare, 2012". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Hoare, R. J. B. (March 2012). "A new species of Hierodoris Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) with a telescopic ovipositor, from granite sand plains in Fiordland". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (1): 51–57. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.651776. S2CID   86515751.(subscription required)
  4. Hoare, R. J. B.; Millar, I. R.; Richardson, S. J. (22 April 2016). "The insect fauna of granite sand plains: a naturally rare ecosystem in New Zealand". New Zealand Entomologist. 39 (1): 1–14. doi:10.1080/00779962.2015.1108159. S2CID   87600286.(subscription required)
  5. "Granitic gravel fields". Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. Retrieved 2018-05-23.