| Kiwaia caerulea | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Gelechiidae |
| Genus: | Kiwaia |
| Species: | K. caerulea |
| Binomial name | |
| Kiwaia caerulea (Hudson, 1925) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Kiwaia caerulea is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by George Hudson in 1925. It is found in New Zealand. [1]
This species was first described by George Hudson in 1925 and named Gelechia caerulea. [2] However, in 1928 Hudson, in his seminal work The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, discussed and illustrated this species and spelling the specific epithet caerulaea. [3] This species was placed in the genus Kiwaia in 1988 and in that publication the epithet caerulea was used. [4] However, in the 1988 catalogue of New Zealand Lepidoptera the epithet used was caerulaea. [5] This spelling continues to be used by New Zealand publications and databases such as the New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity and the New Zealand Organisms Register as well as organisations such as Te Papa, Auckland War Memorial Museum, the New Zealand Organisms Register and the New Zealand Arthropod collection.
Kiwaia is a genus of moths in the family Gelechiidae. Two subgenera are currently recognised, (i) the nominotypical subgenus with 25 species from New Zealand, and (ii) subgenus Empista with 4 species from the Palaearctic Region.
Cephalissa is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae. Its only species, Cephalissa siria, the orange triangle moth, is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. It has suffered a contraction of its range, no longer being seen in Dunedin or Invercargill. It is currently found in the Mt Watkin Scenic Reserve, in eastern Otago, in the Rongahere Gorge and in the Dansey Ecological District. C. siria is known to inhabit kahikatea forest amongst Carex species as well as short tussock grasslands and shrubland. The larval host plant is Fuchsia perscandens. Adult moths are on the wing in October and November.
Heterocrossa sanctimonea is a moth of the Carposinidae family first described by Charles E. Clarke in 1926. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Amblyptilia deprivatalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species was first described by Frances Walker in 1864. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. Adults are on the wing from October to May and have an affinity to species in the genus Senecio.
Pterophorus furcatalis, the Pittosporum plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It was first described by Frances Walker and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands. Its preferred habitat is dense native bush. Larval host plants include Pittosporum eugenioides and Pittosporum crassicaule. Adult moths are on the wing from November to March and are attracted to light.
Meterana pascoei is a moth in the family Noctuidae, endemic to New Zealand. The name and description were published as Morrisonia pascoei by William George Howes in 1912. It is about 38 mm long, with reddish-brown forewings marked with faint lines and a pair of kidney-shaped marks, and a reddish-brown abdomen with a pronounced tuft at the end. Howes named the species in honour of Merlin O. Pasco of Queenstown, who had sent him 20 specimens caught at a treacle-baited moth trap – Howes had previously collected just two specimens, in 1910. In 1928, in his book The Butterflies and moths of New Zealand, George Vernon Hudson discussed this species, placing it within the genus Melanchra and editing the epithet to "pascoi". John S. Dugdale also used the epithet "pascoi" and proposed several new synonyms for this species in his 1988 publication Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family group taxa.
Anisoplaca ptyoptera is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found throughout the North and South Islands and prefers habitat where its host plants are common. The larval hosts of this moth are species in the genus Carmichaelia and the larvae stem mine the host plant. However larvae have also been observed feeding on gorse species and as a result their potential as a biological control for gorse has been researched. This behaviour has only been recorded in the Canterbury and Otago regions. A. ptyoptera overwinters as larvae and while in that life stage can be parasitised by species of wasp in the genera Zealachertus and Diadegma. Pupation begins in October. Adult moths are on the wing from October until May with peak emergence occurring in January. The adult moths come in two size classes and should the size of the female be in the larger class fecundity is improved. It is likely that this species has only one brood a year.
Kiwaia aerobatis is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1924. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected at Mount Arthur and at Arthur's Pass. Adults are on the wing in January.
Kiwaia hippeis is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1901. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Christchurch. Adults of this species are on the wing in December and are attracted to light.
Kiwaia pumila is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.
Kiwaia jeanae, also known as the Kaitorete jumper or mat daisy jumper, is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. Both the males and females of this species are brachypterous.
Asaphodes abrogata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found from the central North Island as well as the South Island. This species is inhabits open country at altitudes of between 2000 and 4000 ft. Larvae have been reared on Plantago species including Plantago coronopus. It has been recommended that Plantago raoulii be planted to attracted this species. Adults are on the wing in February and March.
Physetica caerulea is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found from the centre of the North Island south, including the South and Stewart Islands. The adult moths are variable in appearance but can be distinguished by the bluish tinge to the forewings as well as the underside buff colour. However this species does have several forms including a very dark bluish black form, a brownish form and a green-brown form. It lives in open habitats and can be found in tussock grasslands and dunes and can normally be found from altitudes of sea level up to 900 m. Adults of this species are on the wing from August to April. As at 2017, the life history of is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. However it has been hypothesised that the larval host species is a tomentose plant.
Asaphodes chionogramma is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits the lower slopes of mountains in valleys with native forest at altitudes of between 2000 and 3000 ft. The adults of this species are on the wing in December and January.
Xanthorhoe orophyla is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island in alpine habitat. This species has one brood a year and their larvae feed on cruciferous plants. Adults are on the wing from December to February and are attracted to light.
Asaphodes chlorocapna is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can only be found in the Chatham Islands. The larvae of this species consume the leaves of Muehlenbeckia plants. Adults are on the wing in January. This species is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.
Physetica temperata is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found in the North Island and the top of the South Island in coastal areas. P. temperata is unlikely to be confused with other species in its range, even though it is not distinctively patterned. It is possible that males might be confused with males of P. homoscia but this latter species is much larger. P. temperata can be distinguished from P. caerulea as the former species has forewing veins that are marked black and a chequered forewing fringe. The adults of this species are on the wing from September to March. The life history of this species has not been well documented although it is thought that larval host species is Ozothamnus leptophyllus.
Tingena thalerodes is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found at Arthur's Pass. This species inhabits rough herbage on mountain sides. Adults are on the wing in December and January.
Asaphodes nephelias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is alpine tussock grasslands above native forest and in wetlands. The adults of this species are on the wing from January to March and are day flying. The female has brachypterous wings.
Asaphodes oxyptera is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the Auckland Islands.
