| Notoreas elegans | |
|---|---|
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Notoreas |
| Species: | N. elegans |
| Binomial name | |
| Notoreas elegans | |
Notoreas elegans is a species of moth in the family Geometridae, endemic to New Zealand. This species has a wide distribution in New Zealand and is therefore regarded as not being in need of conservation.
This species was first described in 2010 by Brian Patrick and Robert J.B. Hoare. [2] The epithet elegans means elegant and was used to honour the attractive colouration and pattern on the wings of the adult moth. [2]
When mature N. elegans larvae have a brown head, a bright green body with a band on its dorsal side coloured white with pink and yellow hints. [2] The subdorsal portion of the larvae has some white shading and there is also a lateral band of pale white pink.
Adult moths of this species have bright orange and white markings on their forewings with orange and black-marked hindwings. [2] N. elegans is similar in appearance to its close relations N. edwardsi and N. casanova. [2]
This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] N. elegans occurs at elevations of between 150 and 1900 metres in the valleys and alpine areas of the Mackenzie Basin, South Canterbury, Otago and Fiordland. [2]
This species normally produces two broods per year but it has been hypothesised that at some localities it may produce only once in a season. [2] The female moth lays her eggs within the flower buds of their host plant. [3] When the larvae emerge from their eggs, they eat into the leaves or buds of their host, hiding from predators. [3] Once they are large enough, they emerge to feed from the fresh growth of the plant. [3] N. elegans pupate in a loose cocoon on the ground under their host. [3] The species spends approximately 43 days in their cocoon before emerging as an adult. [2] N. elegans are day flying moths. [3] They are low but fast flyers and constantly vibrate their wings to enable them to take off rapidly. [3]
The host plants for the larvae of N. elegants are endemic species within the genus Pimelea . [2] [4] These include Pimelea aridula , Pimelea oreophila , Pimelea pseudolyallii , Pimelea sericeovillosa and Pimelea traversii . [4]
This species has a wide distribution in New Zealand and is therefore regarded as not being in need of conservation. [2]
Notoreas is a genus of geometer moths endemic to New Zealand. The genus was described by Edward Meyrick in 1885.
Ericodesma aerodana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. The species inhabits sand dunes and larvae feed on Pimelea prostrata. Adults are on the wing from October to January and are active at twilight. This species is classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation as its larval host plant is under threat from habitat loss and the invasive to New Zealand plant, sea spurge.
Ericodesma cuneata, the Corokia leafroller moth, is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Orocrambus jansoni is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Pimelea traversii is a species of shrub in the family Thymelaeaceae. It is native to New Zealand. The specific epithet traversii is in honor of naturalist Henry H. Travers (1844-1928), son of William Thomas Locke Travers.
Notoreas edwardsi is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as Nationally Critical by the Department of Conservation.
Notoreas casanova is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.
Notoreas chioneres is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas galaxias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas arcuata is a species of geometer moth endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas hexaleuca is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas ischnocyma is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in Canterbury and Otago.
Notoreas isoleuca is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas isomoera is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas mechanitis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas niphocrena is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas ortholeuca is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas paradelpha is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas perornata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Notoreas simplex is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
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