Orocrambus sophronellus

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Orocrambus sophronellus
Fig 43 MA I437619 TePapa Plate-XX-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Subfamily: Crambinae
Tribe: Crambini
Genus: Orocrambus
Species:
O. sophronellus
Binomial name
Orocrambus sophronellus
(Meyrick, 1885) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Crambus sophronellus Meyrick, 1885

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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885, [3] from a specimen given to him by Richard William Fereday. [4] Meyrick named the species Crambus sophronellus. [2] [3] Meyrick gave a more detailed description of the species later that year. [4] In 1928 George Vernon Hudson also described and illustrated the species. [5] In 1975 David E. Gaskin placed the species in the genus Orocrambus . [6] Gaskin argues that Hudsons illustration in his 1928 book is actually of the species O. cyclopicus . [6] The type locality of the specimen is uncertain but is possibly Canterbury. [3] The type specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:

Female. — 19 mm. Head and thorax ochreous-white, coarsely irrorated with greyish-fuscous. Palpi long, whitish, externally irrorated with grey. Antennae grey. Abdomen whitish, irrorated with grey. Legs grey-whitish. Forewings elongate, tolerably oblong, costa hardly arched, apex round-pointed, hindmargin straight, rather strongly oblique ; greyish-fuscous, densely irrorated with white, and with a few black scales : cilia whitish-grey mixed with white, base white. Hindwings light fuscous-grey, towards hindmargin darker ; cilia grey- whitish. [4]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [7] It has been recorded in Taparewa near Nelson, [5] the Mackenzie Basin, [8] and Central Otago. [6] It is possibly also present in Canterbury. [6]

Life cycle and behaviour

Adult moths have been recorded on wing in March. [6] The species is attracted to light. [5]

Habitat

O. sophronellus is thought to occur in short tussock grasslands. [9]

Host species

O. sophronellus is associated with Carex muelleri . [10]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Data Deficient. [11]

Related Research Articles

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

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<i>Heterocrossa cryodana</i> Species of moth

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<i>Amblyptilia heliastis</i> Species of plume moth

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<i>Amblyptilia lithoxesta</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Amblyptilia lithoxesta is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. This species inhabits rough herbage on mountain sides. Larvae feed on Veronica buchananii. Adults are on the wing in January.

<i>Ericodesma aerodana</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Gadira leucophthalma</i> Species of moth

Gadira leucophthalma, the beaked moss moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the south eastern side of the South Island down to Banks Peninsula. G. leucophthalma inhabits the foredunes of coastal areas. The larval host is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larvae feed on moss. The adult moths are day flying although some specimens have been trapped at night via light traps. Adults are commonly on the wing from March to April. This species has been classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Antiscopa acompa</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Antiscopa acompa is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1884. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found both the North and South Islands. The species inhabits native forest and adult moths are attracted to light.

<i>Antiscopa elaphra</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Antiscopa elaphra is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. Adults of this species are on the wing from August until March and are attracted to light. In 2020 this species had its DNA barcode sequenced.

<i>Eudonia asterisca</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Eudonia asterisca is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was named by Edward Meyrick in 1884 and is endemic to New Zealand. It has been recorded in both the North and South Islands. This species is recorded as being present at sea level up to altitudes of 1350 m. This species has been recorded as inhabiting native podocarp/hardwood forests. The adults of this species are on the wing from December until March although they have also been recorded in October and November. They are attracted to light and have also been trapped via sugar traps.

<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>Anisoplaca ptyoptera</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Anisoplaca ptyoptera is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found throughout the North and South Islands and prefers habitat where its host plants are common. The larval hosts of this moth are species in the genus Carmichaelia and the larvae stem mine the host plant. However larvae have also been observed feeding on gorse species and as a result their potential as a biological control for gorse has been researched. This behaviour has only been recorded in the Canterbury and Otago regions. A. ptyoptera overwinters as larvae and while in that life stage can be parasitised by species of wasp in the genera Zealachertus and Diadegma. Pupation begins in October. Adult moths are on the wing from October until May with peak emergence occurring in January. The adult moths come in two size classes and should the size of the female be in the larger class fecundity is improved. It is likely that this species has only one brood a year.

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

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.

Leptocroca xyrias is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. The taxonomy of this species is in need of revision and L. xyrias likely belongs to a separate genus. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Tingena horaea</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Tingena horaea is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and have been observed in both the North and South Islands. The adults are on the wing in January.

<i>Tingena letharga</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Tingena letharga is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Otago. Adults are on the wing in December and January.

<i>Tingena macarella</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Tingena macarella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. Adults of this species are on the wing from November until February. This species is attracted to light and the larvae are litter feeders.

<i>Asaphodes omichlias</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

Asaphodes omichlias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits rocky, open country in high mountains. Adults are on the wing in January and February. The appearance of the adult of this species is variable with some specimens having a paler and more grey appearance than the more usual brown appearance. Its colouration ensures it blends well with its preferred habitat rocky, open country in the high mountains.

References

  1. 1 2 "Orocrambus sophronellus (Meyrick, 1885)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 149. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Meyrick, Edward (1885). "Description of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. V [VI]. Pyralidina [abstract]". New Zealand Journal of Science. 2: 346–348 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. 1 2 3 Meyrick, Edward (1885). "Descriptions of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. VI. Pyralidina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 17: 121–140 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. 1 2 3 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 169.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 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. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Head, Nicholas John (4 October 2016). "Statement of evidence of Nicholas John Head for the Director-General of Conservation". www.ecan.govt.nz. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  9. ↑ Pawson, Stephen M; Emberson, Rowan M (2000). The conservation status of invertebrates in Canterbury (Report). Lincoln University. hdl:10182/1658.
  10. ↑ "Nevis Red Tussock Fen". www.orc.govt.nz. Otago Regional Council. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  11. ↑ 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. 5. ISBN   9781988514383.


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