Orthenches prasinodes

Last updated

Orthenches prasinodes
Fig 5 MA I437897 TePapa Plate-XXXVI-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Plutellidae
Genus:
Orthenches
Species:
O. prasinodes
Binomial name
Orthenches prasinodes
Meyrick, 1885 [1]

Orthenches prasinodes is a moth of the family Plutellidae. [1] It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands in the Wellington, Canterbury and Southland regions. It inhabits native forest. The larval host are species in the genus Muehlenbeckia and larvae have been raised on Muehlenbeckia complexia. Adults are on the wing from December until March.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 using a specimen collected in March at Riccarton Bush in Christchurch. [2] [3] Meyrick gave a more detailed description in 1886. [4] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [5] Hudson went on to give a description and illustration of the larva of this species in 1939. [6] Dugdale considered this species when describing the genus Chrysorthenches . [7] The male holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [3]

Description

Hudson's illustration of larva. Fig 35 MA I437915 TePapa Plate-LIV-A-supplement full (cropped).jpg
Hudson's illustration of larva.

Hudson described the larvae of this species as follows:

Length when full-grown about 1⁄2 inch (11 mm.). Cylindrical, slightly flattened, moderately stout, but strongly tapering at each end, especially posteriorly; segments deeply excised. Head small, ochreous-green; body grass green with darker dorsal stripe. Two or three days before spinning up the larva developes a rather complicated pattern of crimson markings as follows:—Segments 2, 3 and 4 each with an oval mark on midback; segments 5-11 inclusive with a rather long dull crimson bar on midback, and four shorter, more or less square crimson marks arranged on each side of this; segments 11 and 12 have a triangular dorsal mark; there is a very irregular broken lateral line on the sides of all segments except the head. The anal prolegs are long and conspicuously visible from above. [6]

Meyrick described the adult male of this species as follows:

Male. — 14 mm. Head and antennae grey-whitish. Palpi moderately long, grey-whitish, second joint, except apex, and base of terminal joint dark fuscous, terminal joint somewhat longer than second. Thorax light greenish-grey, suffusedly mixed with dark grey. Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints and posterior tibiae grey-whitish. Fore-wings elongate, costa sinuate, apex and hindmargin rounded ; light dull greenish, disc, inner and hind margins much suffused with dark grey, rest of wing indistinctly dotted with black, costa more distinctly; a small pale spot in dark suffusion below middle of fold; a small black spot in disc at 2⁄3 , preceded by a pale longitudinal streak in disc : cilia grey, mixed with grey-whitish. Hindwings elongate-ovate, beneath with a long thin pecten of hairs from vein 1c directed towards disc ; pale whitish-grey ; cilia grey-whitish, with a dark grey spot at apex. [4]

Hudson described the adults of this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is 5⁄8 inch. The fore-wings are rather elongate with the apex and tornus rounded; yellowish-brown with numerous obscure pale ochreous dots along the dorsum and some of the veins and very faint purplish reflections; there is a very indefinite dark brown transverse shading before the middle; a streak before the apex and several darker dots on the termen and dorsum, The hind-wings are very pale greyish-ochreous, almost white. [5]

Dugdale was of the opinion that externally the adults of this species are identical to O. vinitincta . [3]

Distribution

This specie is endemic to New Zealand. [8] [9] As well as its type locality, this species has been observed in the Wellington region and in Invercargill. [5]

Habitat and hosts

Larval host M. complexa". Muehlenbeckia complexa 343831536.jpg
Larval host M. complexa".

O. prasinodes inhabits native forest. [5] The larval host plant are species in the genus Muehlenbeckia . [6] Larvae have been reared on Muehlenbeckia complexia . [10]

Behaviour

The larvae do not fold or twist the leaves of their host plant and are very active if disturbed. [6] Adults are on the wing from December until March. [5]

Related Research Articles

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

Heterocrossa exochana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species feed on the fruits of Muehlenbeckia species. The adult is on the wing from September until May and are attracted to light.

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

Heterocrossa gonosemana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. Larvae feed on seeds and fruit of Griselinia lucida and possibly Griselinia littoralis. They can be extremely active when disturbed. This species overwinters as a pupa, enclosed in a cocoon, underneath its host plant. Adults are on the wing from November until February and can be found during the day resting on lichen covered tree trunks where they are well camouflaged. The adult is nocturnal and is attracted to light.

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

Heterocrossa iophaea is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on the seeds of the mataī tree, Prumnopitys taxifolia. Adults are on the wing from October to February. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. During the day the adult moths rest on the trunks of trees or hide among the twigs and leaves on the ground.

<i>Pterophorus innotatalis</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Pterophorus innotatalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North, South and Ruapuke Islands. Adults of this species have been recorded as being on the wing from October to March as well as in August and prefers to inhabit grass or fern covered hills. The larvae are leaf miners and feed on Dichondra species, including Dichondra brevifolia and Dichondra repens.

<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>Pyrgotis eudorana</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pyrgotis eudorana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic in New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. However it is regarded as a rare insect. This species inhabits native forest. Larvae exclusively feed on Muehlenbeckia australis and adults are on the wing from November to April. Adults are attracted to light.

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

Anisoplaca acrodactyla is a species of moth of the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1907 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been observed in South Island as well as in the North Island. Larvae feed on species in the genera Hoheria and Plagianthus including the species Plagianthus regius'.

<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>Asaphodes chlorocapna</i> Species of moth

Asaphodes chlorocapna is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can only be found in the Chatham Islands. The larvae of this species consume the leaves of Muehlenbeckia plants. Adults are on the wing in January. This species is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Austrocidaria lithurga</i> Species of moth

Austrocidaria lithurga is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as at risk, naturally uncommon by the Department of Conservation.

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

Tingena apanthes is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found on the North Island. The adults are on the wing from October to December. It appears associated with Leptospermum species and it has been hypothesised that the appearance of the adults of this species imitates faded Leptospermum leaves.

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

Tingena chloradelpha is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North and South Islands. The larvae live underground forming silken tubes from which it feeds. It overwinters in these tubes and then pupates enclosed in a weak pale white silken cocoon. The adults of this species is variable in appearance both in the depth of colour as well as in its discal spots which may in some specimens be lacking. The adults are on the wing from October until the end of December and can be found inhabiting domestic gardens as well as cultivated land. They have been seen resting on window frames and can be found inside houses.

<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>Opsitycha squalidella</i> Species of moth

Opsitycha squalidella is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1884. This species is native to Australia and is likely adventive to New Zealand.

<i>Pseudocoremia colpogramma</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pseudocoremia colpogramma is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1936. It is endemic to New Zealand.

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

Atomotricha chloronota is a moth in the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the eastern side of the South Island and at the Antipodes Islands. It inhabits clearings with native tussocks and ferns. The larvae feed on leaf litter from silk tunnels in soil. The male adults of this species are on the wing from July to September and have been trapped via sugar traps and are attracted to light. The female of this species is brachypterous.

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

Atomotricha isogama is a moth in the family Oecophoridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1909. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. Larvae are leaf litter feeders and have been recorded as emerging in the New Zealand spring. Adults have been observed on the wing from July to January.

<i>Chrysorthenches drosochalca</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Chrysorthenches drosochalca is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1905. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North and South Islands. The larvae are leaf miners of Prumnopitys ferruginea. Adults are on the wing from January to March.

<i>Chrysorthenches porphyritis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Chrysorthenches porphyritis is a species of moth of the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found on both the North and South Islands in open native forest and scrub at altitudes from sea level up to 1370 m. The larvae feed on Podocarpus laetus, P. totara, P. nivalis, and Phyllocladus alpinus. The larvae create a shelter by loosely spinning together the leaves of its host plant and can be found feeding in groups. The pupa is formed inside a thin cocoon. Hudson was of the opinion that this species had two broods a year. Adult moths are on the wing all year round. The adults of this species, particularly the female, are variable in colouration and in forewing pattern.

<i>Orthenches chlorocoma</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Orthenches chlorocoma is a moth of the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species feed on native broom species in the genus Carmichaelia including Carmichaelia australis. Adults are on the wing in September, October and February.

References

  1. 1 2 Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 463. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  2. ↑ Edward Meyrick (1885). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lelidoptera. Gelechiadae VIII. Tineina (part)". New Zealand Journal of Science. 2: 591. Wikidata   Q124216081.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  3. 1 2 3 Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 74. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  4. 1 2 Edward Meyrick (May 1886). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 18: 176. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q109405465.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 329, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  6. 1 2 3 4 George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 462, OCLC   9742724, Wikidata   Q109420935 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. ↑ J. S. Dugdale (January 1996). "Chrysorthenches new genus, conifer‐associated plutellid moths (Yponomeutoidea, Lepidoptera) in New Zealand and Australia". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 23 (1): 33–59. doi:10.1080/03014223.1996.9518064. ISSN   0301-4223. Wikidata   Q54576386.
  8. ↑ "Orthenches prasinodes Meyrick, 1885". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  9. ↑ "Orthenches prasinodes Meyrick, 1885". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  10. ↑ "Orthenches prasinodes Meyrick, 1885". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2011. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.