Kiwaia jeanae

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Kiwaia jeanae
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gelechiidae
Genus: Kiwaia
Species:
K. jeanae
Binomial name
Kiwaia jeanae
Philpott, 1930 [1]

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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was described by Alfred Philpott in 1930 using a specimen collected at Birdlings Flat, Canterbury. [2] [3] George Hudson also discussed and illustrated this species in 1939. [4] This species is named in honour of Jean Lindsay, the first collector of the species. [2] The holotype specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum. [3]

Description

Philpott originally described the species as follows:

♂︎. 8mm. Head shining creamy white. Palpi ocherous white, apex of terminal segment blackish. Antennae brownish black. Thorax grey. Abdomen ocherous mixed with grey. Legs grey. Forewings lanceolate ; whitish ocherous mixed with grey ; a large subtriangular blackish blotch at 1⁄3 ; a round black spot in disk at 2⁄3 ; apex black anteriorly obscured margined with whitish ; fringes ocherous grey. Hindwings greatly reduced ; about a quarter the length of forewings ; densely covered with long fine ocherous whitish hair-scales which radiate in all directions. [2]

It has been hypothesised that the hairs on the hind wings of the male may assist in the release of pheromones attracting the females of the species. [4] Both the males and females of this species are brachypterous. [5] This reduction in wing size is rare in male moths. [5]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [6] It is found in North and Mid Canterbury. [7] As well as its type locality, this species has also occurred at Kaitorete Spit, [8] Amberley beach, [4] at Leithfield beach, [7] both near Amberley.

Biology and behaviour

Very little is known of the biology of this species. [8] The adult moths of this species jump like a flea. [8] Adult moths have been collected from January to mid April. [9]

Habitat and host species

This species has been collected on active sand dunes [10] or shingle soils covered with cushion plants. [2] [7] The host plants for the larvae of this species are Raoulia mats and it has been hypothesised that the larvae are detritivorous. [7]

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [11] This species is at risk because of habitat damage caused by commercial shingle removal and stock trampling. [6] The main threats to this species at Kaitorete Spit have been recorded as weed invasion, damage to habitat by recreational vehicles, housing development of habitat and predators. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaitorete Spit</span> Spit in New Zealand

Kaitorete Spit is a long finger of land which extends along the coast of Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand. It runs west from Banks Peninsula for 25 kilometres, and separates the shallow Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora from the Pacific Ocean. It is technically a continuous barrier beach, though at its western end it tapers to a point less than 100 metres in width which is occasionally breached at high tide. The spit is noted for its isolation and for its pebbly beaches. At its eastern end is the small settlement of Birdlings Flat, and west of its narrowest point is the settlement of Taumutu.

<i>Kiwaia</i> Genus of moths

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.

<i>Kupea electilis</i> Genus of moths

Kupea is a monotypic moth genus of the family Crambidae described by Alfred Philpott in 1930. It contains only one species, Kupea electilis, also known as Kupe's grassmoth, which is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. The female of the species was first discovered in 2012.

<i>Izatha psychra</i> Species of moth

Izatha psychra is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation. In 2020 it was feared that this moth was extinct as a result of a fire at the Pukaki Scientific Reserve, the last known locality of this species. However a 2021 survey found I. psychra present in the small portion of the reserve that was not damaged by the fire.

<i>Circoxena ditrocha</i> Species of moth

Circoxena ditrocha is a species of moth in the family Blastodacnidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected on both the North and South Islands. The habitat of this species is on the edges of native forest or scrub and it may be associated withPseudopanax arboreus. As at 2000 the host species of this moth is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larvae are seed borers. Adults are on the wing in December to March. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Glyphipterix euastera</i> Species of moth

Glyphipterix euastera is a species of sedge moth in the genus Glyphipterix. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Phaeosaces lindsayae is a species of moth in the family Depressariidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Archyala lindsayi</i> Species of moth

Archyala lindsayi is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Ericodesma aerodana</i> Species of moth

Ericodesma aerodana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. The species inhabits sand dunes and larvae feed on Pimelea prostrata. Adults are on the wing from October to January and are active at twilight. This species is classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation as its larval host plant is under threat from habitat loss and the invasive to New Zealand plant, sea spurge.

<i>Eurythecta robusta</i> Species of moth

Eurythecta robusta is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Gadira leucophthalma</i> Species of moth

Gadira leucophthalma, the beaked moss moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the south eastern side of the South Island down to Banks Peninsula. G. leucophthalma inhabits the foredunes of coastal areas. The larval host is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larvae feed on moss. The adult moths are day flying although some specimens have been trapped at night via light traps. Adults are commonly on the wing from March to April. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Gadira petraula</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Gadira petraula is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in mid Canterbury. G. petraula inhabits coastal, montane and low alpine rock sites. The larvae live in rock crevices in a silk shelter from which they emerge to feed. Their host plants are moss or lichens. The adult female is flightless and the male is on the wing in March. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. The 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes destroyed much of this species preferred habitat. Rock climbers cleaning rocks of the larval host plants are also a threat to the survival of this species.

<i>Kiwaia hippeis</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Kiwaia pumila</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Cnephasia paterna</i> Species of moth

Cnephasia paterna is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Acroclita discariana</i> Species of moth

Acroclita discariana is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Helastia clandestina</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia clandestina is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the South Island in and around Arthur's Pass. Adults have been collected on the wing in February and are nocturnal. Its preferred habitat is dry stony riverbeds and flood plains. The glossy blueish grey colouration of the adults of this species helps camouflage them against the rocks in their preferred habitat. H. clandestina is classified as having the conservation status of "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Helastia expolita</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Helastia expolita is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and occurs in the Buller, Marlborough, North and Mid Canterbury regions.This species inhabits short tussock grassland in montane to subalpine zones. Adult moths are nocturnal but little is known about the life history of H. expolita. Adults have been observed on the wing in November. It has been hypothesised the larvae of H. expolita feed on the flowers of Helichrysum species and then feed on mosses, lichens or shrubs growing nearby. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Scythris niphozela</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Scythris niphozela is a species of moth in the family Scythrididae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is regarded as being endemic to the Kaitorete Spit area although previously it had been recorded in the Manorburn Ecological District. This species inhabits the foredune area of Kaitorete Spit. The larvae feed on Carmichaelia appressa. Adults are day flying and are on the wing from October to December. These moths are not attracted to light. The species are classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Euxoa ceropachoides</i> Species of moth

Euxoa ceropachoides, commonly known as Fereday's cutworm, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kiwaia jeanae Philpott, 1930". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Philpott, A. (1930). "Descriptions of Lepidoptera in the Canterbury Museum". Records of the Canterbury Museum. 3: 247–250.
  3. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 82. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Hudson, G. V. (1939). A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 438.
  5. 1 2 Sattler, K (1988). "The systematic status of the genera Ilseopsis Povolny, 1965, and Empista Povolny, 1968 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae: Gnorimoschemini)". Nota Lepidopterologica. 10 (4): 224–235. ISSN   0342-7536 – via Internet Archive.
  6. 1 2 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. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. (2000). Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera (PDF). Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Conservation, New Zealand. p. 25. ISBN   0478218672. OCLC   154670803.
  8. 1 2 3 "Kaitorete home to rare moth". Te Waihora. 2016-03-09. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  9. ↑ Pawson, S.M.; Emberson, R.M. (2000). "The conservation status of invertebrates in Canterbury" (PDF). Conservation Advisory Science Notes. 320: 1–64.
  10. ↑ "Active sand dunes". Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ "Important protection work at Te Waihora". Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA). 5 May 2016. Retrieved 2018-05-25.


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