Microdes epicryptis

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Microdes epicryptis
Microdes epicryptis female.jpg
Female
Microdes epicryptis male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Microdes
Species:
M. epicryptis
Binomial name
Microdes epicryptis
Meyrick, 1897 [1]

Microdes epicryptis is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on the North, South, Stewart, Chatham and Antipodes Islands. It inhabits lowland wetlands. Larvae feed on species in the Juncaceae family and a specific larval host is Apodasmia similis . Adults are on the wing from September to March. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1897 using two specimens collected in Wellington by George Hudson. [2] In 1927 Alfred Philpott discussed the male genitalia of this species. [3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 publication The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [4] In 1939 Hudson also discussed this species in the supplement to that work. [5] In 1971 John S. Dugdale discussed and redescribed this species. [6] The male lectotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [7]

Description

Microdes epicryptis observed in Ngaruawahia. Microdes epicryptis - Carey Knox Southern Scales - 461266125.jpeg
Microdes epicryptis observed in Ngāruawāhia.

The larvae of this species has been described as being approximately 1⁄2 an inch in length when fully grown and is pale ochreous in colour, with a series of dark brown V-shaped markings along its back. [5] The larvae are said to be challenging to see when resting on the flower spike of its host plants as both the colouration and markings of the larvae of this species provide excellent camouflage. [5]

Meyrick described the adults of this species as follows:

♂ ♀ 21-22 mm. Head and thorax whitish-ochreous. Palpi 6, whitish-ochreous sprinkled with dark fuscous. Forewings with costa strongly arched, termen unevenly bowed, very oblique ; whitish-ochreous, more whitish on dorsal half, somewhat deeper and sometimes infuscated towards costa, with some scattered black scales ; a median longitudinal streak of clear pale ground-colour ; second line indicated by a strongly curved series of black dots on veins: cilia ochreous-whitish. Hindwings considerably narrowed ; ochreous-grey-whitish; in ♂ with area of cell depressed, and a costal streak of modified blackish scales from near base to beyond middle. [2]

M. epicryptis has been confused with Antiscopa elaphra known as Scoparia elaphra. [7] [8] The species in the Antipodes Islands is smaller and has forewings that are narrower and pointier than mainland specimens. [8]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] This species if found in the North, South, Stewart, Chatham and the Antipodes Islands. [4] [8]

Habitat and hosts

Larval host A. similis. Apodasmia similis 144831134.jpg
Larval host A. similis.

M. epicryptis inhabits lowland wetlands. [8] Larvae feed on species in the Juncaceae family and a specific larval host is Apodasmia similis as specimens of this moth have been reared from this plant. [8] [9]

Behaviour

The adults of the species are on the wing from September to March. [4] They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. [8] [4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Microdes epicryptis Meyrick, 1897". Biota of New Zealand. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 Edward Meyrick (16 December 1897). "XVI. Descriptions of New Lepidoptera from Australia and New Zealand". Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London. 45 (4): 384–385. doi:10.1111/J.1365-2311.1897.TB00976.X. ISSN   0035-8894. Wikidata   Q56158835. BHL page 14683285 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  3. ↑ Alfred Philpott (15 August 1927). "The Modification of the Eighth Sternite in Microdes (Lepidoptera)". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 58: 91–92. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q134538099.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 88, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286 BHL page 61899699 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  5. 1 2 3 George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 402, OCLC   9742724, Wikidata   Q109420935 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  6. ↑ Dugdale, J. S. (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae". Pacific Insects Monographs . 27: 104–105. ISSN   0078-7515. Wikidata   Q64006453.
  7. 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: 184. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Patrick, Brian (March 1994). "Antipodes Island Lepidoptera". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 24 (1): 102. doi:10.1080/03014223.1994.9517457. ISSN   0303-6758. Wikidata   Q54583729.
  9. ↑ "Microdes epicryptis". Plant-SyNZ. 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
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