Hierodoris gerontion

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Hierodoris gerontion
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Oecophoridae
Genus: Hierodoris
Species:
H. gerontion
Binomial name
Hierodoris gerontion
Hoare, 2005 [1]

Hierodoris gerontion is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. [1] 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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Robert Hoare in 2005 from specimens collected in Central Otago. [1] The male holotype specimen, collected at the Old Man Range / Kopuwai at 1640 m, is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. [1]

Description

H. gerontion is variable in appearance but the wingspan of an adult is between 14.5 and 17.5 mm. [1] The hindwings can vary in appearance from white to a darkened brownish shade. [1] 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. [1] The larvae of this species has yet to be described. [1]

Distribution

Mountains of Central Otago, habitat of H. gerontion. Central Otago, New Zealand, 22 July 2005.jpg
Mountains of Central Otago, habitat of H. gerontion.

This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the alpine zones of the mountain ranges in Central Otago. [1] [2] Although originally this species was said to be present in eastern Fiordland this locality information was based on an incorrect identification of a male specimen of H. extensilis. [3]

Habitat and hosts

This species prefers habitat near seepages and is also common in fellfields. [1] [4] As at 2005 the larval host is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larval hosts may be herbaceous plant foliage. [1]

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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.

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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.

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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 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Robert J. B. Hoare (24 December 2005). "Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. 54: 32–33. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.54. ISSN   0111-5383. OCLC   946510444. Wikidata   Q44994400. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2021.
  2. "Hierodoris gerontion Hoare, 2005". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  3. R. J. B. Hoare (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. ISSN   0077-9962. Wikidata   Q54578048.
  4. "Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review. Obelisk Station PO 264 Conservation Resources Report - Part 4" (PDF). www.linz.govt.nz. December 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2021.