| Pasiphila | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pasiphila rectangulata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Tribe: | Eupitheciini |
| Genus: | Pasiphila Meyrick, 1883 [1] |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Pasiphila is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae. As of 2005 about 36 species were known, and of these, some 27 are native to New Zealand. [2] [3]
Pasiphila was formerly treated as a synonym of Chloroclystis , as was Gymnodisca, which is now mostly treated as a subgenus of Pasiphila. Rhinoprora is sometimes treated as a synonym of subgenus Gymnodisca.
Furthermore, a number of species which were included in Pasiphila are now mostly placed in Pasiphilodes .
The geometer moths are moths belonging to the family Geometridae of the insect order Lepidoptera, the moths and butterflies. Their scientific name derives from the Ancient Greek geo γεω, and metron μέτρον "measure" in reference to the way their larvae, or inchworms, appear to measure the earth as they move along in a looping fashion. A very large family, it has around 23,000 species of moths described, and over 1400 species from six subfamilies indigenous to North America alone. A well-known member is the peppered moth, Biston betularia, which has been subject of numerous studies in population genetics. Several other geometer moths are notorious pests.
The green pug is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is sometimes placed in the genus Chloroclystis or Rhinoprora. It is common throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East, but also appears in North America.
Neritidae, common name the nerites, is a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized saltwater and freshwater snails which have a gill and a distinctive operculum.
Pasiphila debiliata, the bilberry pug, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found from Europe, east to southern Siberia, the Amur region and Japan.
Eupitheciini is a tribe of geometer moths under subfamily Larentiinae, often referred to as pugs. The tribe was described by Tutt in 1896.
Pasiphila chloerata, the sloe pug, is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is found from Europe to the Amur Region and central Asia.
Pasiphila derasata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in Africa, south of the Sahara, including the Islands of the Atlantic Ocean and the island of the Indian Ocean.
Pasiphila acompsa is a moth in the family Geometridae. It was described by Louis Beethoven Prout in 1927. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in mountainous locations in both the North and South Islands. Larvae of this species have been reared on plants within the Veronica genus. Adults are on the wing from December to February.
Pasiphila aristias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1897 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in both the North and South Islands and inhabits subalpine and native forest. Adults are on the wing in December and January and are attracted to light.
Pasiphila bilineolata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North and South Islands. The species inhabits native forest and shrubland and the larvae feed on Hebe species. Adults are on the wing commonly from August to January but have been observed most months of the year and are attracted to light.
Pasiphila cotinaea is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Its larvae feed off Olearia species and the adult moth can be seen on the wing from November to April. This species is regarded as rare.
Pasiphila erratica is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Specimens were first collected at Bold Peak, in the Humboldt Ranges and the Hunter Mountains in the South Island.
Pasiphila hyrcanica is a moth in the family Geometridae. It was described by Jaan Viidalepp and Vladimir Mironov in 2006. It is found in Azerbaijan and Iran.
Pasiphila furva is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in New Zealand.
Pasiphila heighwayi is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in New Zealand. The species was described from the Banks Peninsula and later found along the Waitohi River.
Pasiphila magnimaculata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The type locality of this species is Queenstown. It usually inhabits montane areas but has also been collected on Quail Island.
Pasiphila rubella is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Pasiphila lunata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in New Zealand.
Pasiphila muscosata, the emerald pug moth, is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The larvae of this species are known to be present in January and live on Muehlenbeckia species including Muehlenbeckia australis. The larvae tends to be brown but it is variable in both colour and markings. The larvae of this species pupates in a loose cocoon on the ground and adult moths emerge in September. Adults are commonly on the wing until the following May. Although adults tend to be a deep emerald green colour this species is again variable and there is also an orange-yellow variety as well as intermediate forms. Adults are attracted to light and often rest during the day on tree trunks.
Pasiphila sandycias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Adult moths of this species have been shown to pollinate Leptospermum scoparium and Olearia virgata.
