Metacrias erichrysa

Last updated

Metacrias erichrysa
Metacrias erichrysa female.jpg
Female specimen
Metacrias erichrysa male.jpg
Male specimen
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Metacrias
Species:
M. erichrysa
Binomial name
Metacrias erichrysa
Meyrick, 1886 [1]

Metacrias erichrysa is a species of moth of the family Erebidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found in the lower half of the North Island and western alpine areas of the South Island. The adult female of the species is flightless and buff coloured whereas the male is brightly coloured and a rapid flier during daylight hours. The male of the species is on the wing from mid-November to early January. The species inhabits open herb and tussock fields in mountainous terrain at altitudes of between 900 and 1200 m. Larvae feed on Brachyglottis bellidioides, Festuca novae-zealandiae and indigenous species from the genera Acaena , Muehlenbeckia , Wahlenbergia and Raoulia .

Contents

Taxonomy

Metacria erichrysa illustration by Des Helmore LEPI Arctiidae Metacria erichrysa.png
Metacria erichrysa illustration by Des Helmore

M. erichrysa was originally described by Edward Meyrick in 1886 from specimens collected on Mount Arthur as well as from subsequently reared larvae. [2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated the species in his 1898 publication New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) as well as in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. [3] [4] [5] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [5]

Description

Adults males are brightly coloured and diurnal, while females are buff coloured and extremely short-winged. [6]

Meyrick in his 1886 paper described the species as follows:

♂ 31-33 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, and thorax black ; hairs beneath thorax and partly above tending to become pale grey towards tips. Abdomen black, marked with yellow on sides and sometimes beneath. Legs yellow-ochreous. Forewings elongate triangular, costa straight, apex obtuse, hindmargin strongly rounded, rather oblique; vein 10 separate; black; markings orange-yellow ; a slender costal streak, much dilated on basal fourth ; a slender dorsal streak ; a wedgeshaped discal spot before middle ; a moderately broad streak along submedian fold from near base to 3/4; a curved discal series of five elongate spots about 2/3; a subterminal series of eight dots or small spots, more or less connected by fine longitudinal lines with hindmargin : cilia pale ochreous-yellow, basal half blackish. Hind wings orange-yellow ; a curved black transverse discal spot; a moderate irregular-edged black hindmarginal band, on upper half containing three or four yellow dots, on lower half with an elongate orange-yellow marginal spot sending an acute projection to inner edge of band near anal angle; cilia pale ochreous-yellow, on upper half black at base.

♀ Wholly whitish-ochreous ; wings minute, aborted; legs short, stout, well-developed.

Larva wholly black; hairs black, those covering segmental incisions brownish-ochreous. [2]

Distribution

Habitat at the type locality of Mount Arthur. Mount Arthur (New Zealand) 039.jpg
Habitat at the type locality of Mount Arthur.

This species is endemic to New Zealand, [7] where it is known from the western alpine areas of the South Island and mountains of the lower half of the North Island. [6]

Biology and behaviour

The females remain within their cocoon for mating and egg-laying. [6] Once hatched the larvae first feed on her corpse. [8] They then disperse widely. [8] Larvae are present from mid summer until winter, when they commence larval diapause. [9] The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon. [3] Some larvae construct a 'nest' inside which they spin their cocoon. [10] Cocoons are attached to any covering rock rather than to the ground or rocks below. [10] It has been hypothesised that these behaviours are likely to protect the cocoon against melting snow. [10]

The male adults of this species are on the wing in mid November to early January. [6] They fly rapidly and are difficult to catch. [3] Males are attracted to females by pheromones. [6] Males of this species can be attracted to the scent of females of different species within their genus. [6] Researchers have used females as lures to take advantage of this behaviour to detect males in new localities. [6]

Habitat and host-plants

Brachyglottis bellidioides Brachyglottis bellidioides in Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve 03.jpg
Brachyglottis bellidioides

The adult moths prefer open herb and tussock fields in mountainous terrain at altitudes of between 900 and 1200 m. [3] [9] The larvae feed on Brachyglottis bellidioides as well as other grasses and herbs. [2] [11] Endemic plants that M. erichrysa larvae feed on include Festuca novae-zealandiae and indigenous species from the genera Acaena , Muehlenbeckia , Wahlenbergia and Raoulia . [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cataclysta lemnata</i> Species of moth

Cataclysta lemnata, the small china-mark, is a moth species of the family Crambidae. It is found in Europe, Morocco and Iran.

<i>Metacrias</i> Genus of moths

Metacrias is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae. All species are endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Trabala vishnou</i> Species of moth

Trabala vishnou, the rose-myrtle lappet moth, is a moth of the family Lasiocampidae. It is found in southern Asia, including Pakistan, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Java, China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia. Four subspecies are recognized.

<i>Asterivora</i> Genus of moths

Asterivora is a genus of moths in the family Choreutidae. Asterivora was described by J. S. Dugdale in 1979. The type species is Asterivora combinatana.

<i>Asterivora combinatana</i> Species of moth

Asterivora combinatana is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed at locations in both the North and South Islands. The larvae feed on Senecio bellidioides and Brachyglottis repanda either from within a silken gallery or alternatively a silken curtain under which they feed. It is double brooded with adults being on the wing from September until November and again from February until April. This species is a day flying moth. It is extremely variable both in colouration and in size. The female tends to be larger and paler than the male of the species.

<i>Metacrias strategica</i> Species of moth

Metacrias strategica is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand where it is known from the southern part of the South Island. The female of the species is flightless and pale brown, grey or yellowish-brown in colour where as the male is brightly coloured and flies during the day.

<i>Metacrias huttoni</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Metacrias huttoni is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand where it is known from the eastern areas of the South Island. The female of the species is flightless and buff coloured where as the male is brightly coloured and flies during the day.

<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>Cochylichroa atricapitana</i> Species of moth

Cochylichroa atricapitana, the black-headed conch, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It is found in China (Xinjiang) and the eastern Palearctic and most of Europe.

<i>Pasiphila muscosata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pasiphila muscosata, the emerald pug moth, is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The larvae of this species are known to be present in January and live on Muehlenbeckia species including Muehlenbeckia australis. The larvae tends to be brown but it is variable in both colour and markings. The larvae of this species pupates in a loose cocoon on the ground and adult moths emerge in September. Adults are commonly on the wing until the following May. Although adults tend to be a deep emerald green colour this species is again variable and there is also an orange-yellow variety as well as intermediate forms. Adults are attracted to light and often rest during the day on tree trunks.

<i>Ichneutica alopa</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica alopa is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the central and southern parts of the North Island as well as in the South Island. It inhabits tussock grasslands and wetlands and can occur at ranges from the alpine zone down to almost sea-level. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae in the wild. Larvae of this species have been raised in captivity on Sphagnum moss as well as on species in the genus Raoulia. Adults of this species are on the wing from late January to April and are attracted to light and to sugar traps. I. alope can be confused with I. agorastis, I. micrastra or I. sapiens but the latter three species can be distinguished externally from I. alope through differences in size, forewing pattern and the antennae of the male of the species.

<i>Trigonistis anticlina</i> Species of moth

Trigonistis anticlina is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Adults of this species inhabit dense native forest habitat in ravines.

<i>Chersadaula ochrogastra</i> Species of moth

Chersadaula ochrogastra is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

Planotortrix puffini is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Specimens have been collected from Lee Bay in Stewart Island.

<i>Pyrgotis eudorana</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pyrgotis eudorana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic in New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. However it is regarded as a rare insect. This species inhabits native forest. Larvae exclusively feed on Muehlenbeckia australis and adults are on the wing from November to April. Adults are attracted to light.

<i>Pyrgotis plinthoglypta</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pyrgotis plinthoglypta is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the whole country. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest. The larvae of this species feeds on rimu leaves from under a silken web. It pupates in loose cocoons amongst rimu foliage. Adults are on the wing from October to May and are night flying. They are attracted to light and can be collected by beating their host tree. The adult insect resembles a small dried fragment of rimu foliage when at rest.

Cotesia urabae is a small wasp, having a black body with yellow-brown legs, characterized by a solitary larval endoparasitoid stage. It is part of a large complex of 11 primary parasitoids of Uraba lugens Walker, many of which are polyphagous. The female inserts its ovipositor into the a U. lugens larva, depositing its eggs there, and it has been found that one female may carry up to 400 eggs. While C. urabae females are able to attack the same larva several times; only one single parasitoid completes its development in each larva.

<i>Anisoplaca ptyoptera</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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.

<i>Austramathes purpurea</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Austramathes purpurea is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North and South Islands but has yet to be recorded at Stewart Island. It inhabits native forest. This species might possibly be confused with A. pessota, however this latter species does not have the purple hue to the forewings. The larvae of A. purpurea feed primarily on māhoe but have been recorded as feeding on, and have been reared on, narrow-leaved māhoe. The larvae pupate in a silken cocoon on moss covered ground. Adults can be found on the wing during the months of March to January but mainly occur during New Zealand's late autumn, winter, and spring. Light trapping may not be the most efficient technique for collecting this species.

<i>Austrocidaria lithurga</i> Species of moth

Austrocidaria lithurga is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as at risk, naturally uncommon by the Department of Conservation.

References

  1. ↑ "Metacrias erichrysa Meyrick, 1886". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Meyrick, E. (1886). "Revision of Australian Lepidoptera". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 2. 1: 749–750. Retrieved 11 January 2017– via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London. p. 4. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7912. OCLC   727236768 . Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. pp. 43–44. OCLC   25449322.
  5. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–269. ISBN   0477025188. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Patrick, Brian; Patrick, Hamish; Edwards, Eric (2003). "Tiger moths and pheromones". The Weta. 25: 14–17. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.523.200 .
  7. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 457. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  8. 1 2 Patrick, Brian (2014). "Metacrias erichrysa". iNaturalist. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  9. 1 2 Berndt, L.A.; Withers, T.M.; Mansfield, S.; Hoare, R.J.B. (2009). "Non-target species selection for host range testing of Cotesia urabae". New Zealand Plant Protection. 62: 168–173. doi: 10.30843/nzpp.2009.62.4773 .
  10. 1 2 3 Howes, W. George (1942). "Lepidoptera Collecting at the Homer. With descriptions of two species" (PDF). Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 73: 90–98.
  11. ↑ Berndt, L. A.; Withers, T. M.; Mansfield, S.; Hoare, R. J. B (2009). "Non-target species selection for host range testing of Cotesia urabae". New Zealand Plant Protection. 62: 170. doi: 10.30843/nzpp.2009.62.4773 .
  12. ↑ Gibbs, G. W. (1962). "The New Zealand genus Metacrias Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) systematics and distribution". Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Zoology. 2 (19): 153–167 – via Papers Past New Zealand.

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain :Meyrick, E. (1886). "Revision of Australian Lepidoptera". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 2. 1: 749–750.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.