Paradetis | |
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Male | |
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Genus: | Paradetis Meyrick, 1885 |
Species: | P. porphyrias |
Binomial name | |
Paradetis porphyrias (Meyrick, 1883) | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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Specific
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Paradetis is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae. [2] Its only species, Paradetis porphyrias, also known as the orange and purple fern looper, is endemic to New Zealand. The genus and species were first described by Edward Meyrick, the genus in 1885 and the species in 1883.
This genus was originally named Parysatis by Meyrick in 1883. [3] [4] However in 1885 Meyrick renamed this genus Paradetis as the former name was preoccupied. [5] This species was first described by Meyrick in 1883 under the name Parysatis porphyrias. [6] [3] Meyrick went on to give a more detailed description of the species in 1884. [4] In 1885 Meyrick renamed the genus of this species Paradetis. [5]
George Hudson illustrated and discussed this species under its current name Paradetis porphyrias in both of his books New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) in 1898 and The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand in 1928. [7] [8]
The larva of this species is thin and green and when mature is 20 mm long. [9]
Meyrick described the adult female of the species as follows:
Female. — 20 mm. Forewings moderate, costa sinuate in middle, apex almost acute, hindmargin deeply excavated on upper half and more shortly on lower third, so as to project bluntly below middle; yellow-ochreous, irregularly mixed with brown and purplish; veins clearly marked with fuscous; two slender ochreous-brown transverse lines, dilated on costa, first before middle, bent inwards near costa, second beyond middle, almost straight; beyond second a broad purplish shade, except near costa, dilated beneath to reach hindmargin; hindmargin purple: cilia white on excavations. Hindwings moderate, hindmargin shortly sinuate near inner angle; pale ochreous mixed with fuscous and purplish; a fuscous transverse fine before middle; a very broad purplish hindmarginal band. [4]
P. porphyrias is endemic to New Zealand. [10] Meyrick first collected the species near Otira Gorge at Arthur's Pass in January. [4] The species has also been found at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, and Lake Wakatipu. [8]
Alfred Philpott mentioned that the species frequented the banks of mountain streams. [11] P. porphyrias larvae likely feed on Hypolepis millefolium . [12] [9]
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.
Glaucocharis chrysochyta is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. Larvae appear to feed on moss and likely pupate there. Adult moths are on the wing from November to March. They fly at night and are attracted to light.
Heterocrossa epomiana is a species moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Westland. Adults are on the wing in January. This species is visually very similar to H. gonosemana and to H. philpotti.
Pasiphila plinthina is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is on the wing mainly from June until September with occasional observations up to December, and is attracted to light. This species is similar in appearance to P. sandycias but can be distinguished from it as P. plinthina has palpi that are longer and has more blurred forewing markings.
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.
Glaucocharis lepidella is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1866. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Island. The species inhabits lowland to subalpine native forest. Larvae may feed on mosses. Adults are on the wing from November to February and are attracted to light.
Glaucocharis harmonica is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. It inhabits lowland to subalpine native forest. It has been hypothesised that there are two broods per year. The larval hosts are unknown. Adults are on the wing from October until January.
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.
Asaphodes limonodes is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits damp native forest. Adults are on the wing from November until March.
Orthoclydon chlorias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Austrocidaria prionota is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the South Island and is regarded as being uncommon. Larvae of this species have been recorded as feeding on Myrsine divaricata as well as on species of Coprosma. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light.
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.
Tingena chrysogramma is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. The adults of this species inhabits open scrubland and are on the wing in January and February. It has been collected via light traps and beating shrubs. During sunny days this species has been observed resting on leaves and rarely flies. It is regarded as a rare species and has a possible association with Prumnopitys ferruginea.
Tingena hemimochla is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North Island. Adults of this species are on the wing from December until March.
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.
Tingena oxyina is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Otago region. This species inhabits native beech forest at altitudes of between 1000 – 3000 ft. Adults of this species are on the wing in January.
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.
Helastia triphragma, also known as the angle carpet moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 and originally named Cidaria triphragma. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the South Island. It inhabits native scrub in coastal, lowland and montane areas. The larval host plant of this species is Helichrysum lanceolatum. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Trachypepla lichenodes is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest and adults of this species are on the wing from November to January. The adult moths are similarly coloured to native lichen species however this colouration is variable in the extent and depth on the forewings.
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.
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