Hierodoris polita

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Hierodoris polita
Hierodoris polita 116451769.jpg
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. polita
Binomial name
Hierodoris polita
Hoare, 2005 [2]

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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2005 and named Hierodoris polita. [2] Prior to its scientific description H. polita was known as H. 'silver banded'. [3] The holotype specimen, which was collected by John S. Dugdale at Craig Flat, Clutha Valley on 16 March 1986, is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. [3]

Description

Illustration of H. polita by Des Helmore. LEPI Oecophoridae Hierodoris polita.png
Illustration of H. polita by Des Helmore.

The wingspan of the male of the species is between 11-14.5 mm and the female is between 12.5-13.5 mm. [3]

Hierodoris polita is very similar in appearance to its close relatives Hierodoris frigida and H. extensilis . [4] It can be distinguished from H. frigida as H. polita lacks the all-yellow segment 2 of the labial palp as well as the yellowish white spot that H. frigida has on its costa. [3] H. polita has white scales on the posterior part of the tegulae where as H. frigida has a dark tegulae. [3] H. polita also has a white transverse band on the forewing that H. frigida lacks. [3]

Hierodoris polita can be distinguished from H. extensilis as the later has a white base to the hindwing whereas H. polita has a bronzy base. [4] The exterior surface of the labial palpi of H. extensilis is white-scaled whereas H. polita is dark-scaled. [4] H. polita also has a transverse white forewing fascia which both H. extensilis and H. frigida lack. [4]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [2] [5] It can only be found in the South Island in the Central Otago and Dunedin areas. [3] H. polita is classified as range restricted indicating its local distribution. [1]

Biology and behaviour

Although larvae of this species have not been conclusively identified, a likely specimen was collected in leaf litter consisting of detritus of Grimmia laevigata . [3] It has therefore been hypothesised that the larvae of H. polita is a detritivore. [3] The species has been found on the wing in October, November, and January to March. [3]

Habitat and host species

This species is known to prefer open habitat and has so far mainly been collected at south-facing rocky bluffs upon which grow species of Grimmia moss. [3]

Conservation status

This species 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>Izatha rigescens</i> Species of moth

Izatha rigescens is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as having the conservation status of "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation. It is only known from the Wellington coast. This species has not been seen since 1929.

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

Hierodoris atychioides is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. The female holotype specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London. This species is endemic to New Zealand, and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The larvae form webs of silk attached to frass and leaves on their hosts in which they shelter, often in the company of other larvae in their species. Their feeding habits have not been observed in detail but Hoare hypothesises the larvae may feed on dead or dying leaves. The larvae feed on a wide range of trees and shrubs, including Dacrydium cupressinum, Prumnopitys taxifolia, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, Libocedrus bidwillii, Cupressus macrocarpa, Leptospermum scoparium, Kunzea ericoides, Ozothamnus leptophyllus, Abies, Picea, Pinus and Thuja species. Although they are regarded as a pest of exotic forests in New Zealand, the economic damage the larvae cause is minimal and they tend to be controlled only by their natural enemies. Larval enemies include the parasitic flies Trigonospila brevifacies and Pales funesta as well as parasitic wasps including Xanthopimpla rhopaloceros. The adult moths are day flying and are most common during the months of December and January. This species is variable in appearance as larvae, pupa and as adults, and it has been hypothesised that it is in the process of speciation.

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

Hierodoris illita is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. However this species has not been recorded at Stewart Island / Rakiura.

<i>Schiffermuelleria orthophanes</i> Species of moth

Schiffermuelleria orthophanes is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Hierodoris</i> Genus of moths

Hierodoris is a genus of moths in the family Oecophoridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1912. This genus is only known from New Zealand. In 1988 the genus Taoscelis was synonymised with Hierodoris. In 2005 the genus Coridomorpha was synonymised with Hierodoris.

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

Hierodoris stella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and occurs in Auckland, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Wellington. As at 2005 the larvae of this species is unknown as is its host plant. The adult moth frequents forest and are on the wing in January and February. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

Hierodoris torrida is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the southern parts of the North Island, in Rangitikei and Wellington, and in the east of the South Island, in the Marlborough Sounds, Kaikōura, Mid and South Canterbury. The larvae of this species is unknown as is much of the biology of this species and its larval hosts. The adult moth prefers lowland forest habitat. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Hierodoris bilineata is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. It is possible that this species gives birth to live young rather than lay eggs as is the norm.

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.

<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.

Hierodoris sesioides is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is known from its type locality of Esk State Forest in the Hawkes Bay. The host species is Spohora tetraptera, a kōwhai species. The larvae feed internally in woody galls on the stems of this plant. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

Gymnobathra origenes is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is in need of taxonomic revision and it has been hypothesised that it belongs to the family Gelechiidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation. This species is known from only one specimen.

<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 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 3 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 polita Hoare, 2005". 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 Hoare, R. J. B. (2005). "Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 54: 1–102. ISBN   0478093780.
  4. 1 2 3 4 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)
  5. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 462. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
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