Mnesarchella falcata

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Mnesarchella falcata
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Mnesarchaeidae
Genus: Mnesarchella
Species:
M. falcata
Binomial name
Mnesarchella falcata
Gibbs, 2019 [1]

Mnesarchella falcata is a species of primitive moth in the family Mnesarchaeidae. This species was first described by George William Gibbs in 2019, and is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found in the Waikato, Taupō, Hawke's Bay and Rangitīkei regions

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by George William Gibbs in 2019. [1] The male holotype specimen was collected at a Ranger Station near Mangawhero Stream in Ohakune by Gibbs and is in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. [1]

Description

M. falcata is small with a white to pale ochreous-white head, a brownish-white thorax and forewings are coloured with shades of white to ochreous-white to pale brown to brown with patches of intense white. [1] It is very similar in appearance to M. vulcanica and can only be reliably distinguished from that species through dissection of genitalia. [1] The male genitalia of this species is diagnostic as it is sickle-shaped with periphallic arms. [1]

Distribution and habitat

M. falcata is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the Waikato, Taupo, Hawke's Bay and Rangitīkei regions. [2] [1] This species lives in damp mountain forests made up of rimu, beech and Libocedrus bidwillii . [1] It lives at higher altitudes of between 650 and 1100 m. [1]

Behaviour

Adults of this species are on the wing in November and December. [1]

Related Research Articles

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

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<i>Mnesarchella acuta</i> Moth species in family Mnesarchaeidae

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<i>Mnesarchella hamadelpha</i> Moth species in family Mnesarchaeidae

Mnesarchella hamadelpha is a species of primitive moth in the family Mnesarchaeidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the Wellington, Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough and Nelson regions. It is frequently found at altitudes of between 800 to 1400m but can be found as low as approximately 400 m. It is often found in damp moss covered but well lit native forest. This species is very similar in appearance to M. acuta. However although M. hamadelpha is present in the same locations as M. acuta, it is usually found at higher altitudes or at later times in the year. Adults are on the wing from November to February.

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Mnesarchaea hudsoni is a species of primitive moths in the family Mnesarchaeidae. This species was first described by George William Gibbs in 2019, and is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington regions. This species inhabits cool, damp parts of native forest or lives alongside waterways and can be found at altitudes ranging from sea-level up to 800 m. Adults of this species are on the wing from February to April. M. hudsoni is very similar in appearance to its near relatives M. fusca and M. fallax but can be distinguished via differences in male genitalia.

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Mnesarchella dugdalei is a species of primitive moths in the family Mnesarchaeidae. This species was first described by George William Gibbs in 2019, and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found in the Auckland, Coromandel, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Taupō, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay regions. M. dugdalei lives in damp but well lit forest sites at altitudes of between 200 m and 1300 m. Adults of this species are on the wing from October to December.

Mnesarchella philpotti is a species of primitive moths in the family Mnesarchaeidae. This species was first described by George William Gibbs in 2019, and is endemic to New Zealand.

Mnesarchella stellae is a species of primitive moths in the family Mnesarchaeidae. This species was first described by George William Gibbs in 2019, and is endemic to New Zealand.

Mnesarchella vulcanica is a species of primitive moths in the family Mnesarchaeidae. This species was first described by George William Gibbs in 2019, and is endemic to New Zealand.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 George William Gibbs; Niels Peder Kristensen (28 May 2019). Mnesarchaeidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Hepialoidea) (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand (in English and Maori). 78. Lincoln: Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. pp. 1–105. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.78. ISBN   978-0-947525-60-6. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q104802925.
  2. "Mnesarchella falcata Gibbs, 2019". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 24 August 2021.