Noctua atlantica

Last updated

Noctua atlantica
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Noctua
Species:
N. atlantica
Binomial name
Noctua atlantica
(Warren, 1905)
Synonyms [2]
  • Agrotis atlanticaWarren, 1905

Noctua atlantica is a species of yellow underwing moth belonging to the family Noctuidae, the cutworms. This moth is endemic to the Azores. [3]

Contents

Taxonomy

Noctua atlantica was first formally described in 1905 as Agrostis atlantica by the English entomologist William Warren [2] from types which had been collected on the Azores in 1903 by the Scottish ornithologist William Robert Ogilvie-Grant, who collected a series of 3 types from Terceira, Graciosa and São Jorge. [4] In 1971 it was transferred to the genus Noctua by the Austrian lepidopterist Rudolf Pinker. [2]

Description

Noctua atlantica is may be identified within the genus Noctua by its wing pattern, having an ochre-brown hind wing. There are also differences in the male genitalia. [2]

Distribution and habitat

Noctua atlantica is endemic to the Azores where it is found on the islands of Corvo, Flores, Faial, Pico, Graciosa, São Jorge, Terceira and São Miguel. It is found in the uplands, at altitudes greater than 600 m (2,000 ft) above sea level. They prefer native forests, where the dominant tree is Juniperus brevifolia particularly where these forests are associated with grassy clearings. They also occur in sunny forest roads and glades of exotic coniferous plantations. [1] [2]

Biology

Noctua atlantica larvae are polyphagous, feeding on native grasses of various species. The adults have been recorded almost throughout the calendar year, and individuals are recorded as being attracted to lights in the months between April and November. There are two generations per year in the high elevation populations. [2] The younger larvae are nocturnal and hide on the host plant during the day while the older larvae are less strictly nocturnal. [5]

Conservation

Noctua atlantica has been assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN but its range may have contracted due to deforestation in the lower areas of the islands and the invasion of its remaining habitats buy invasive exotic plants may reduce the quality if its existing habitat. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azores</span> Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic

The Azores, officially the Autonomous Region of the Azores, is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal. It is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the Macaronesia region of the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1,400 km (870 mi) west of Lisbon, about 1,500 km (930 mi) northwest of Morocco, and about 1,930 km (1,200 mi) southeast of Newfoundland, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noctuidae</span> Type of moths commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms

The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of the clades are constantly changing, along with the other families of the Noctuoidea. It was considered the largest family in Lepidoptera for a long time, but after regrouping Lymantriinae, Catocalinae and Calpinae within the family Erebidae, the latter holds this title now. Currently, Noctuidae is the second largest family in Noctuoidea, with about 1,089 genera and 11,772 species. This classification is still contingent, as more changes continue to appear between Noctuidae and Erebidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angle shades</span> Species of moth

The angle shades is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. It is distributed throughout Europe as far east as the Urals and also in the Azores, in Algeria, and in Asia Minor, Armenia, and Syria. It is strongly migratory.

<i>Catocala</i> Genus of moths

Catocala is a generally Holarctic genus of moths in the family Erebidae. The genus was erected by Franz von Paula Schrank in 1802. The moths are commonly known as underwing moths or simply underwings. These terms are sometimes used for a few related moths, but usually – especially when used in plural, not as part of a species name – they are used to refer to Catocala only.

<i>Noctua</i> (moth) Genus of moths

Noctua is a genus of moths. They have dull, cryptic forewings and often very bright hindwings. These are hidden under the forewings when the moths rest, leading to their common name of yellow underwings. They are not particularly closely related to the "true" underwing moths (Catocala) though, apart from both being Noctuoidea. They are good fliers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willem van der Haegen</span> Flemish-born Azorean entrepreneur, explorer, and colonizer

D. Willem van der Haegen, or Willem De Kersemakere, known in Portuguese as Guilherme da Silveira, or Guilherme Casmaca, was a Flemish-born Azorean entrepreneur, explorer, and colonizer. He was a pioneer colonizer in Azorean history and his descendants formed part of the original Azorean nobility.

<i>Juniperus brevifolia</i> Species of conifer

Juniperus brevifolia, the Azores juniper, is a species of juniper, endemic to the Azores, where it occurs at altitudes of 240–800 metres, rarely up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft). It is closely related to Juniperus oxycedrus of the Mediterranean region and Juniperus cedrus of the neighboring Macaronesian islands. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<i>Mocis</i> Genus of moths

Mocis is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae. The genus was erected by Jacob Hübner in 1823.

<i>Schinia bimatris</i> Species of moth

The white flower moth is a moth of the family Noctuidae found in the United States and Canada. It is designated as Endangered under Canada's Species At Risk Act and Manitoba's Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act.

<i>Diplopseustis perieresalis</i> Species of moth

Diplopseustis perieresalis is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It is widespread in the Oriental region, Australia and New Zealand, but was introduced to the Western Palaearctic realm, where it quickly expanded its range, and where it is now found in Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. In the Afrotropics, a single female specimen has been collected in 1904 in Sudan.

<i>Pseudanchomenus</i> Species of beetle

Pseudanchomenus is a beetle genus in the family of ground beetles (Carabidae). Its only described species, Pseudanchomenus aptinoides, is endemic to the Azores archipelago.

William Warren was an English entomologist who specialised in Lepidoptera.

<i>Physetica phricias</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica phricias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is wide spread in the South Island and inhabits shrubland. The host of the larvae of this species is matagouri. The adult moths are on the wing from September to May and July, and are attracted both to light and sugar traps.They are a faster-flying species and remain active even during windy conditions. P. phricias can be confused with some forms of P. sequens. However P. phricias can be distinguished as it has a less marbled appearance to its forewing.

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

Ichneutica blenheimensis is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North, South and the Stewart Islands. This species appears to prefer drier eastern localities and is rarely collected in western North Island forested areas. It does not appear to be frequently collected in inland dry tussock grassland habitats. The host plant for the larvae of this species is likely to be the golden sand sedge pīngao which is now absent from the moths type locality. However Chappell has raised very young larvae on grass species and the more developed larvae consumed Phormium tenax. Adults are on the wing from November to March and are attracted to both light and sugar traps. The blackish forewing fringes are diagnostic of this species. But worn specimens of I. arotis can be confused with worn specimens of I. blenheimensis. However I. arotis can be distinguished from I. blenheimensis as it has a scale-tuft on the thorax and dark longitudinal stripes on the tegula. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

The Captaincy-General of the Azores (1766—1832) was a politico-administrative structure of governance imposed in the Azores on 2 August 1766, with its seat in Angra. It remained the de facto system of governance for 65 years, until it was abolished on 4 June 1832 by D. Peter IV, but by 1828 its de jure status had made it nonoperational, owing to the revolutionary movements that lead to the Liberal Wars. The creation of the Captaincy-General was part of the Pombaline reforms to the Portuguese administration, during the reign of Joseph I, under the initiatives of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal, then prime minister. A Captaincy-General operated from the Palace of the Captains-General, under the direction of the titular Captain-General, who operated as the Governor of the Azores, with additional jurisdiction on every island of the Azorean archipelago. The Captaincy-General was succeeded by the Province of the Azores, an ephemeral administrative structure that was collapse in the immediate years.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azores temperate mixed forests</span>

The Azores temperate mixed forests is a temperate broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion of southwestern Europe. It encompasses the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. These volcanic islands are an autonomous region of Portugal, and lie 1500 km west of the Portuguese mainland.

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

Ichneutica chryserythra is a moth of the family Noctuidae. Living specimens have distinctive violet red coloured forewings but can be distinguished from the similar species Ichneutica marmorata as it lacks the dark edge markings of the later species. I. chryserythra can only be found in the southern parts of the South Island. Adults are on the wing between November and January. The life history of the species and the host species of its larvae are unknown.

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

Ichneutica infensa is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found throughout the North and South Islands but appears to be rarely seen or collected in the north and west parts of the North Island. As at 2019 the northern limit to the range of this species is Titirangi. I. infensa inhabits tussock grasslands and native forest. Larvae are nocturnal and its host plants are in the genus Carex including Carex solandri. Larvae have also been raised on Bromus catharticus. Adults of this species are on the wing from late October to February. Adults are narrow winged with patterns on the forewings that are relatively distinctive. However this species can possibly be confused with I. inscripta.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Vieira, V. & Borges, P.A.V. (2018) [errata version of 2018 assessment]. "Noctua atlantica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T97237920A135852468. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T97237920A99166899.en . Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Borges P; Pérez Santa-Rita J; Nunes R; et al. (2018). "Species conservation profile of moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera) from Azores, Portugal". Biodiversity Data Journal. 6 (6): e23311. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.6.e23311 . PMC   5919917 . PMID   29706789.
  3. Montiel, Rafael; Vieira, Virgilio; T, Martins; Simões, Nelson & Oliveira, Luísa (2008). "The speciation of Noctua atlantica (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) occurred in the Azores as supported by a molecular clock based on mitochondrial COI sequences". Arquipélago – Life and Marine Sciences. 25: 43–48.
  4. William Warren (1905). "Lepidoptera collected by Mr W.R.Ogilvie-Grant on the Azores and Madeira in 1903". Novitates Zoologicae. 12: 439–447.
  5. Wolfgang Wagner. "Noctua atlantica (Warren, 1905)". Lepidoptera and their ecology. Wolfgang Wagner. Retrieved 17 July 2022.