| Leptotarsus albistigma | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Tipulidae |
| Genus: | Leptotarsus |
| Species: | L. albistigma |
| Binomial name | |
| Leptotarsus albistigma (Edwards, 1923) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Leptotarsus albistigma is a species of crane fly native to New Zealand. [1] The species was first described as Macromastix albistigma by Frederick Wallace Edwards in 1923.
Edwards described the species as follows:
Differs from M. viridis as follows: Middle praescutal stripe obsolete, lateral pair conspicuously darker. Abdomen duller, more ochreous, tip not darkened, with rather broad lateral bands of grey dusting on all tergites except first. Hypopygium smaller, the claspers with a slightly different structure. Legs lighter in colour. Wings distinctly brown-tinged, lower pre-arcular cell, costal and subcostal cells, base of cell R2 and veins dark brown; stigma conspicuously whitish-ochreous. Cell M1 sessile in some specimens; cell Ax broadest in the middle. Length of body, ♂ 16–17 mm., ♀ 17–20 mm.; wing, 18–23 mm.; halter, about 3 mm.; hind leg, ♀ 45–50 mm. [2]
Leptotarsus albistigma is pale green in colour. [3] The species' eggs are elliptical and 0.75mm in length. The larvae are between 16.5 mm and 20 mm in length, are moderately flattened and are a cinnamon-like light-brown colour. [4]
In 1924, Charles Paul Alexander classified the species into a subgenus, Chlorotipula, which included exclusively species from New Zealand. [5] Since this time, the subgenus Chlorotipula has been recategorised and placed within the genus Leptotarsus . [6]
The species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] It is commonly found in the South Island, on damp logs of exotic tree species, [7] including rotting Pinus radiata and willow trees. [8]
The larvae of Leptotarsus albistigma bores through wood that has been softened by fungi. Larvae of Austrolimnophila argus , another species of New Zealand crane-fly, have been found together with the larvae of this species. [7]
A crane fly is any member of the dipteran superfamily Tipuloidea, which contains the living families Cylindrotomidae, Limoniidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae, as well as several extinct families. "Winter crane flies", members of the family Trichoceridae, are sufficiently different from the typical crane flies of Tipuloidea to be excluded from the superfamily Tipuloidea, and are placed as their sister group within Tipulomorpha.
Sabatinca aemula is a species of moth belonging to the family Micropterigidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the north western parts of the South Island. The larvae of this species has yet to be collected but it has been hypothesised that the larvae subsist on foliose liverworts similar to other species in the Sabatinca genus. The adults of the species are on the wing from the middle of September until the end of December. The adults of S. aemula are very similar in appearance to S. chrysargyra and it has been argued they can only be distinguished by dissection. However more recent research suggests that the colour patterns on the forewings of the two species can be sufficient to distinguish between the two species.
Sabatinca demissa is a species of moth belonging to the family Micropterigidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the northern half of the North Island. The larvae of this species are small in size and are coloured pale green with darker green or black patches on the rear of its body. The adult moth is coloured yellow-brown with black dots on its forewings. It is a small moth with a wingspan of approximately 6.5 mm in length. Unlike many species of moth, it does not have a pheromone communication system. The adults of the species are on the wing from November to January. The larvae of this species feed on leafy types of liverwort. The adults of this species feed on the spores of fertile cones of Lycopodium volubile and Lycopodium scariosum.
Heterocrossa gonosemana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. Larvae feed on seeds and fruit of Griselinia lucida and possibly Griselinia littoralis. They can be extremely active when disturbed. This species overwinters as a pupa, enclosed in a cocoon, underneath its host plant. Adults are on the wing from November until February and can be found during the day resting on lichen covered tree trunks where they are well camouflaged. The adult is nocturnal and is attracted to light.
Heterocrossa maculosa is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the southern half of the South Island. Larvae feed on Hoheria angustifolia and Plagianthus regius. Adults are on the wing from November to January. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Pyroderces aellotricha, also known as the Cosmet moth, is a moth of the family Cosmopterigidae. It is found in New Zealand, in Australia and the Cook Islands.
Chalastra ochrea is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in both the North and South Islands and inhabits native forest. Larvae of C. ochrea feed on the leaves of species in the genus Sophora including Sophora chathamica. Adults are on the wing from February until April. They have been collected via sugar traps.
Scoriodyta conisalia is a species of moth in the family Psychidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North Island. It has been observed at Karikari, Paihia, in the Poor Knights Islands, and in the Auckland and Wellington regions. The species inhabits native forest and coastal areas where it can be found on rocky outcrops and cliffs. Larvae consume algae and lichens. The adults are on the wing from September to March and are active before sunrise.
Stathmopoda holochra is a moth of the family Stathmopodidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1889 using specimens first collected at the Wellington Botanic Garden. It is endemic to New Zealand. The larvae of this species feed on Phormium seed heads.
Charixena iridoxa, also known as the Astelia zig-zag moth, is a moth of the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1916. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The life cycle of this moth is at least two years in length with the larvae inhabiting the bulb of its host plants and mining the underside of its leaves. These mines have a distinctive zig-zag appearance and can be easily recognised when looked for on the host plants. The larvae pupate in a cocoon attached to the leaf and this stage takes place between February and August. The adult moths emerge in the early spring and are fast, day flying moths. Their larval hosts are plants in the genus Astelia and include Astelia fragrans and Astelia nervosa.
Eutorna inornata is a moth in the family Depressariidae. It was described by Alfred Philpott in 1927. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. The larvae of this moth are leaf miners of Selliera radicans.
Austramathes fortis is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and the South Islands but has yet to be recorded at Stewart Island. It can be found in shrubland containing its host species at a range of altitudes from sea-level up to 1840 m. The larvae of this moth feed on several Melicytus species including M. crassifolius, M. alpinus, M. macrophyllus and M. novae-zelandiae. The larvae pupate in a cocoon of silk at the base of its host plant. It can take between 25 and 45 days before the adult moth emerges. Adults can be found on the wing during the months of July to March. The adults tend to be on the wing in twilight hours but have also been known to be active during the late afternoon. They are attracted to light but this behaviour may limit the number seen at light traps. The distinguishing feature of this moth is the curved black line at the base of its forewing. This species is unlikely to be confused with any other species in its range but it is very similar in appearance to A. squaliolus. However this latter species is only found on the Chatham Islands.
Tingena afflicta is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Tingena anaema is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected at Lake Wakatipu, Invercargill and Stewart Island / Rakiura. The adults of the species are on the wing in December.
Tingena nycteris is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest and scrubland and adults are on the wing from October to January.
Tatosoma tipulata, also known as the kāmahi green spindle, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1862. It is endemic to New Zealand and occurs in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits native bush. The larvae have been recorded as feeding on Pterophylla racemosa, Nothofagus cliffortioides and Podocarpus totara. Adult moths are most commonly observed on the wing from September until March. Adults are nocturnal and are slightly attracted to light. They have also been collected via sugar traps. During the day adults can often be observed resting, camouflaged against moss and lichens, on the trunks of trees.
Atomotricha isogama is a moth in the family Oecophoridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1909. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. Larvae are leaf litter feeders and have been recorded as emerging in the New Zealand spring. Adults have been observed on the wing from July to January.
Chrysorthenches porphyritis is a species of moth of the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found on both the North and South Islands in open native forest and scrub at altitudes from sea level up to 1370 m. The larvae feed on Podocarpus laetus, P. totara, P. nivalis, and Phyllocladus alpinus. The larvae create a shelter by loosely spinning together the leaves of its host plant and can be found feeding in groups. The pupa is formed inside a thin cocoon. Hudson was of the opinion that this species had two broods a year. Adult moths are on the wing all year round. The adults of this species, particularly the female, are variable in colouration and in forewing pattern.
Dicranomyia aegrotans is a species of crane fly in the family Limoniidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Amphineurus hudsoni is a species of crane fly native to New Zealand. The species was first described by Frederick Wallace Edwards in 1923.