Ischalis variabilis

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Ischalis variabilis
Ischalis variabilis female.jpg
Female
Ischalis variabilis male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Ischalis
Species:
I. variabilis
Binomial name
Ischalis variabilis
Synonyms [2]
  • Polygonia variabilisWarren, 1895
  • Gonophylla ophiopaMeyrick, 1897
  • Azelina variabilis(Warren, 1895)
  • Azelina ophiopa(Meyrick, 1897)

Ischalis variabilis, also known as oblique-waved fern looper, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae first described by William Warren in 1895. [3] [2] It is endemic to New Zealand, [1] where it is widespread in the North and South islands. [4]

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by William Warren in 1895 and originally named Polygonia variabilis. [1] In 1970 Robert W. Poole placed this species in the genus Ischalis. [5]

Description

I. variabilis at Otari-Wilton's Bush, Wellington Ischalis variabilis Otari.jpg
I. variabilis at Otari-Wilton's Bush, Wellington

There are two to three distinct transverse lines on the forewing. [6] Adults have been recorded year round, except June on the North Island. The main flight period is September to March. [7] There seem to be two generations per year, but may breed continuously during mild winters. [4] The adult moths can be collected by beating the skirt of the dead fronds of their host species. [7]

The eggs are usually deposited in January and February. [8]

Host species

The larvae have been recorded feeding on Cyathea and Dicksonia species including Cyathea smithii , Cyathea dealbata and Dicksonia squarrosa . [9] [7] Full-grown larvae are about 32 mm long. [7] The larvae feed at night. [7] [4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ischalis variabilis (Warren, 1895)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 166. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  3. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 459. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. LCCN   2011379669. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  4. 1 2 3 Weintraub, Jason D.; Scoble, Malcolm J. (29 April 2004). "Lithinini (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae)". Fauna of New Zealand. 49: 1–48. ISSN   1179-7193 . Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  5. ↑ Robert W. Poole (1970). "Transfer of four New Zealand geometrids from the genus Azelina (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington . 72 (1): 135. ISSN   0013-8797. Wikidata   Q123614994.
  6. ↑ Warren, William (1895). "New species and genera of Geometridae in the Tring Museum". Novitates Zoologicae. 2: 82–159 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. p. 27. ISBN   0-14-301924-4. Wikidata   Q115211440.
  8. ↑ Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 148. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  9. ↑ Moeed, Abdul; Meads, M. J. (1983). "Invertebrate fauna of four tree species in Orongorongo Valley, New Zealand, as revealed by trunk traps" (PDF). New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 6: 39–53.


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