Orocrambus sophistes

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Orocrambus sophistes
Orocrambus sophistes (male).jpg
Male
Status NZTCS NV.svg
Nationally Vulnerable (NZ TCS) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Orocrambus
Species:
O. sophistes
Binomial name
Orocrambus sophistes
(Meyrick, 1905) [2]
Synonyms [3]
  • Crambus sophistesMeyrick, 1905

Orocrambus sophistes is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in South Island at the Mackenzie Basin, Central Otago and Otago Lakes areas. This moth is a dryland specialist and inhabits short tussock grasslands. The larval host species is Festuca novae-zelandiae. The adults of this species have been observed from mid January to April with the female being flightless. The adult male is attracted to light. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1905 using a specimen collected by J. H. Lewis in Ida Valley, Otago. [4] Meyrick named the species Crambus sophistes. [3] In 1928, George Vernon Hudson also described and illustrated Crambus sophistes. [5] In 1975, David E. Gaskin wrongly synonymised this species with Orocrambus cyclopicus . [6] [7] However, its transfer into the genus Orocrambus has been accepted. [8] The type specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [3]

Description

Meyrick described the male of the species as follows:

♂︎. 17 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax fuscous, suffusedly mixed with whitish ; palpi 5. Antennae dark grey. Abdomen whitish, basal half brassy. Fore-wings very elongate, narrow, gradually dilated, costa gently arched, apex somewhat acute, termen rounded, rather strongly oblique ; fuscous, irregularly irrorated with grey-whitish ; a short suffused dark fuscous mark along dorsum towards base ; a slender white streak, edged with scattered dark fuscous scales, along fold from base to middle, thence acutely angulated inwards to near dorsum, this portion edged posteriorly with some dark fuscous suffusion ; two dark fuscous dots longitudinally placed in disc about 2⁄3 ; two sub-terminal series of short blackish dashes on veins, and a third less complete on termen : cilia whitish, with two interrupted fuscous lines. Hind-wings fuscous-whitish ; cilia ochreous-white. [4]

The female of the species is flightless. [9] Although this species resembles other endemic species in its genus, it can be distinguished by labial palps. [5] It can be distinguished from O. cyclopicus as it is larger in size and its female is short winged. [10]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [2] [8] The range of this species is the Mackenzie Basin, Central Otago and Otago Lakes. [9] O. sophistes is possibly extinct in its type locality. [9] This species has been collected at Devils Elbow at Coronet Peak. [11]

Life cycle and behaviour

Adults have been observed from mid-January to April. [10] The male of the species is attracted to light. [10]

Habitat

O. sophistes is a dryland specialist [12] and occurs in short tussock grasslands where its host plant is a common component. [9]

Host species

Festuca novae-zelandiae, host plant of O. sophistes. Festuca novae-zelandiae 105001859.jpg
Festuca novae-zelandiae, host plant of O. sophistes.

O. sophistes is associated with the endemic grass Festuca novae-zelandiae . [9]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Nationally Vulnerable. [1] The reduction in the range of this species aligns with the contraction of range of its endemic host along with the fact that, as a result of the flightlessness of the female, this species has a limited ability to disburse. [9] [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Maoricrambus</i> Genus of moths

Maoricrambus is a genus of moths of the family Crambidae. It contains only one species, Maoricrambus oncobolus, which is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Cephalissa</i> Genus of moths

Cephalissa is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae. Its only species, Cephalissa siria, the orange triangle moth, is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. It has suffered a contraction of its range, no longer being seen in Dunedin or Invercargill. It is currently found in the Mt Watkin Scenic Reserve, in eastern Otago, in the Rongahere Gorge and in the Dansey Ecological District. C. siria is known to inhabit kahikatea forest amongst Carex species as well as short tussock grasslands and shrubland. The larval host plant is Fuchsia perscandens. Adult moths are on the wing in October and November.

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

Asterivora colpota is a moth in the family Choreutidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North and South Islands. It is regarded as a lowland species and adults are on the wing from November until March. This moth has been collected by beating shrubs.

<i>Glyphipterix euastera</i> Species of moth

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<i>Orocrambus abditus</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Orocrambus abditus is a moth of the family Crambidae. It was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1924. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in Marlborough, Arthur's Pass, and in Canterbury. The species inhabits grassland including tussock grassland and shrubland. Larvae have been collected in October and the adults of this species are on the wing from October to March.

<i>Orocrambus cyclopicus</i> Species of moth

Orocrambus cyclopicus is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1883. In 1975 David E. Gaskin wrongly synonymised Crambus sophistes with Orocrambus cyclopicus.

<i>Orocrambus fugitivellus</i> Species of moth

Orocrambus fugitivellus is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Orocrambus ornatus</i> Species of moth

Orocrambus ornatus is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Orocrambus sophronellus</i> Species of moth

Orocrambus sophronellus is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Heliothela atra</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Heliothela atra is a moth of the family Crambidae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. This species is endemic in New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. The preferred habitat of this species is dry tussock grasslands and short-sward sites. Adults of this species are on the wing from December until March and are day flying moths known for their rapid flight. This species is said to be associated with Melicytus alpinus.

<i>Elachista helonoma</i> Species of moth

Elachista helonoma is a species of moth in the family Elachistidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Ichneutica toroneura is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is similar to I. unica but can be distinguished from that species by the uniform black vein markings on the forewings of I. toroneura. It is also similar in appearance to I. acontistis but the base of the forewings of I. toroneura lack the dark stripe that can be found on the forewings of I. acontistis. The males of I. toroneura have longer pectinations on their antennae. I. toroneura is found in the centre of southern South Island in the tussock grasslands of Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin. Larvae feed on tussock grasses Poa cita and Festuca novae-zelandiae. Adults are on the wing from November to January.

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

Ichneutica paraxysta is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is very similar in appearance to its close relative I. acontistis but as the range of the two species do not overlap this is unlikely to cause confusion. I. paraxysta is only found in the North Island at the subalpine zones in the Mount Taranaki region and at Mount Ruapehu. It prefers tussock grassland and shrubland habitat. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae however it has been hypothesised that the larval host plants are species in the genera of Poa and Festuca.

<i>Theoxena scissaria</i> Species of moth

Theoxena is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae erected by Edward Meyrick in 1883. Its only species, Theoxena scissaria, was first described by Achille Guenée in 1868. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Asaphodes dionysias</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes dionysias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only known from mountainous areas in Central Otago. It lives in open grassy mountainous habitat at altitudes up to 1750 m. It is also known to live in wetland habitat. The larvae of this species feed on native herbs. The adults of this species are on the wing in January and February. The adult female of the species has reduced wing size in comparison to the male.

<i>Ichneutica ceraunias</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Ichneutica ceraunias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found from the central North Island to the bottom of the South Island. Hosts of the larvae are species of Chionochloa and Festuca. This colourful moth is variable in appearance and can be mistaken for Ichneutica dione. Adults are on the wing from October to February.

<i>Asaphodes nephelias</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes nephelias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is alpine tussock grasslands above native forest and in wetlands. The adults of this species are on the wing from January to March and are day flying. The female has brachypterous wings.

<i>Asaphodes oraria</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes oraria is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern South Island and on Stewart Island / Rakiura. The male is pale yellow coloured and the female has severely reduced wings and is flightless. The habitat of this species is tussock grasslands on coastal sand dunes and in the mountains at elevations of approximately 4,000ft. The larvae have adapted to feeding on exotic lawn daisy species in the genus Bellis. The adults of this species are on the wing from November to April.

<i>Asaphodes sericodes</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes sericodes is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. This species inhabits open tussock grasslands in subalpine scrub or wetlands. The female of the species is likely semi-apterous and is flightless. The adult males are on the wing in January.

<i>Atomotricha ommatias</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Atomotricha ommatias is a moth in the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. This species inhabits shrubland. The adults are out in the spring months of August and September and are attracted to sugar traps. The female of the species os brachypterous and is incapable of flight. Both the male and female of the species have been observed resting on fences during cold nights. The female, if touched, will hop two or three inches.

References

  1. 1 2 Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015 (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 7. ISBN   9781988514383.
  2. 1 2 "Orocrambus sophistes (Meyrick, 1905)". Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 147. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  4. 1 2 Meyrick, Edward (1905). "Notes on New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. 1905 (2): 219–244. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1905.tb02451.x . Retrieved 6 May 2018– via Biodiversity Heritage Library.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  5. 1 2 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 169.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  6. ↑ Gaskin, D. E. (10 March 1975). "Revision of the New Zealand Crambini (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Crambinae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 2 (3): 265–363. doi:10.1080/03014223.1975.9517878.
  7. ↑ Patrick, Brian H. (2004). "Conservation of New Zealand's tussock grassland moth fauna". Journal of Insect Conservation. 8 (2/3): 199–208. doi:10.1023/B:JICO.0000045818.29222.65. S2CID   8054248.(subscription required)
  8. 1 2 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.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. (2000). Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation. p. 29. ISBN   978-0478218671.
  10. 1 2 3 Patrick, Brian H. "Orocrambus sophistes (Meyrick, 1905)". www.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  11. ↑ Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review Coronet Peak Conservation Resources Report - Part 2 (PDF) (Report). Land Information New Zealand. 2006. p. APPENDIX 6: Invertebrate Species List. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  12. ↑ Patrick, Brian; Patrick, Hamish (2013). "Ecological observations of the eastern Volcanic Plateau endemic grassmoth Orocrambus jansoni". The Weta. 46: 13–19.
  13. ↑ Patrick, Brian H. (June 2004). "Conservation of New Zealand's tussock grassland moth fauna". Journal of Insect Conservation. 8 (2–3): 199–208. doi:10.1007/S10841-004-1352-1. ISSN   1366-638X. Wikidata   Q60361071.
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