Physetica phricias

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Physetica phricias
Physetica phricias female.jpg
Female
Physetica phricias male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Physetica
Species:
P. phricias
Binomial name
Physetica phricias
(Meyrick, 1888) [1]
Synonyms [1]
  • Mamestra phriciasMeyrick, 1888
  • Melanchra phricias(Meyrick, 1888)
  • Morrisonia phricias(Meyrick, 1888)
  • Cucullia cellulataWarren, 1911
  • Graphania phricias(Meyrick, 1888)

Physetica phricias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is wide spread in the South Island and inhabits shrubland. The host of the larvae of this species is matagouri. The adult moths are on the wing from September to May and July, and are attracted both to light and sugar traps.They are a faster-flying species and remain active even during windy conditions. P. phricias can be confused with some forms of P. sequens. However P. phricias can be distinguished as it has a less marbled appearance to its forewing.

Contents

Taxonomy

Observation of Physetica phricias Physetica phricias 120937669.jpg
Observation of Physetica phricias

This species was first named by Edward Meyrick as Mamestra phricias in 1888. [2] [3] George Hudson described and illustrated this species both in his 1898 book New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) and in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand using the name Melanchra phricias. [4] [5] In 1905 George Hampston placed this species within the genus Morrisonia. [6] In 1911 William Warren believing he was describing a new species named it Cucullia cellulata. [7] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale discussed the species under the name Graphania phricias. [8]

In 2017 Robert J. B. Hoare undertook a revision of New Zealand Noctuinae and placed this species within the Physetica genus. As such this species is currently known as Physetica phricias. [1] At the same time Hoare synonymised Cucullia cellulata into that name. [1]

The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [8] The lectotype was collected by R. W. Fereday in Christchurch. [8]

Description

Illustration of Physetica phricias by George Hudson. Fig 22 New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (1898) 05 (cropped).jpg
Illustration of Physetica phricias by George Hudson.

The larvae of this species are up to 33mm in length and are grey coloured with the dorsal having a pink shade. The larvae have a black and white sub-dorsal line as well as a broad whiteish lateral band. [1]

Hudson described the adult moth of the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about 1+1⁄2 inches. The fore-wings are pale silvery-grey ; there are several obscure blackish marks near the base, two dark, shaded, transverse bands, one just before the orbicular, and one between the orbicular and the reniform ; the orbicular is round, nearly white, with a faint greyish ring in the middle ; the reniform is large, oblong, margined first with white and then with black ; there is a series of black crescentic marks near the termen, and another smaller series on the termen ; the cilia are dark grey. The hind-wings are dull brownish-grey, the cilia are grey tipped with white. The terminal joint of the palpi is elongated. [4]

Physetica phricias can be confused with some forms of P. sequens. However P. phricias can be distinguished as it has a less marbled appearance to its forewing. [1]

Distribution

This species endemic to New Zealand. [1] It is widespread in the South Island. [1] Hoare pointed out that although both Hudson and E. G. White stated that specimens had been collected in the central and southern North island, he could not find specimens in any collection to confirm this. [1]

Behaviour and biology

The adult moths are on the wing from September to May with some specimens also collected in July. [1] Adult moths are attracted to sugar and light. [4] [5] They have been trapped using Robinson light traps. [9] They are a faster-flying species and remain active even during windy conditions. [9]

Habitat and host species

Discaria toumatou, host species of P. phricias. Discaria toumatou Raoul (AM AK306045-2).jpg
Discaria toumatou, host species of P. phricias.

The preferred habitat of P. phricias is scrubland. [1] The host of the larvae of this species is Discaria toumatou. [10]

Conservation status

Physetica phricias is currently not regarded as threatened. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Physetica</i> Genus of moths

Physetica is a genus of moths of the family Noctuidae. This genus is endemic to New Zealand.

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<i>Rhapsa scotosialis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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<i>Physetica prionistis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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

Ichneutica lithias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is a small moth but distinctive as a result of the markings on its forewings. Although this species is widespread in the South Island, it has only been collected in the Rangipo Desert in the North Island. The species prefers habitat that is scrubland ranging in altitude from coastal to alpine. Adults are on the wing from October to April and larvae have been collected and reared on the New Zealand endemic plant species Melicytus alpinus.

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

Ichneutica omoplaca is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is widespread from the Bay of Plenty in the North Island down to Southland in the South Island. Specimens have also been collected from the Auckland Islands. It lives in a variety of habitats including beech forest clearings and tussock grasslands. This species has been recorded that some of the larval hosts of this species include Poa cita, Dactylis glomerata and it has been reared on Plantago lanceolata. The larva is undescribed but pupae have been found in a pine plantation in soil under weeds. Adults of this species are on the wing from October to March. The adult moths are variable in appearance but the diagnostic feature is the pale ochreous to white colouring between the basal streak and the costa which contrasts with the ground colour of the forewing.

<i>Meterana pictula</i> Species of moth

Meterana pictula is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Ichneutica blenheimensis is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North, South and the Stewart Islands. This species appears to prefer drier eastern localities and is rarely collected in western North Island forested areas. It does not appear to be frequently collected in inland dry tussock grassland habitats. The host plant for the larvae of this species is likely to be the golden sand sedge pīngao which is now absent from the moths type locality. However Chappell has raised very young larvae on grass species and the more developed larvae consumed Phormium tenax. Adults are on the wing from November to March and are attracted to both light and sugar traps. The blackish forewing fringes are diagnostic of this species. But worn specimens of I. arotis can be confused with worn specimens of I. blenheimensis. However I. arotis can be distinguished from I. blenheimensis as it has a scale-tuft on the thorax and dark longitudinal stripes on the tegula. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Physetica caerulea</i> Species of moth

Physetica caerulea is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found from the centre of the North Island south, including the South and Stewart Islands. The adult moths are variable in appearance but can be distinguished by the bluish tinge to the forewings as well as the underside buff colour. However this species does have several forms including a very dark bluish black form, a brownish form and a green-brown form. It lives in open habitats and can be found in tussock grasslands and dunes and can normally be found from altitudes of sea level up to 900 m. Adults of this species are on the wing from August to April. As at 2017, the life history of is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. However it has been hypothesised that the larval host species is a tomentose plant.

<i>Austramathes purpurea</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Austramathes purpurea is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North and South Islands but has yet to be recorded at Stewart Island. It inhabits native forest. This species might possibly be confused with A. pessota, however this latter species does not have the purple hue to the forewings. The larvae of A. purpurea feed primarily on māhoe but have been recorded as feeding on, and have been reared on, narrow-leaved māhoe. The larvae pupate in a silken cocoon on moss covered ground. Adults can be found on the wing during the months of March to January but mainly occur during New Zealand's late autumn, winter, and spring. Light trapping may not be the most efficient technique for collecting this species.

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

Ichneutica agorastis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is similar in appearance to two other species in the genus but can be distinguished through the colour and size of its forewings. This species is found in the South Island and Stewart Island in open habitats in the subalpine zone. However, in Southland I. agorastis can be found down to sea-level. Adult moths are on the wing between January and April. The life history and host species are unknown.

<i>Austramathes pessota</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Austramathes pessota is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in Northland, in the southern North Island and in the South Island, mainly on the eastern side of that island but is also present in Fiordland. It is not regarded as being present in either Dunedin or the Southland district. This species lives in shrubland at altitudes ranging from sea-level up to subalpine. As at 2017, the larvae have yet to be described or photographed but it is known that they feed on Melicytus alpinus and it is likely that Melicytus micranthus is also a host. Adults of this species are distinctively patterned and coloured. Its appearance differs from its close relatives such as A. purpurea as it lacks the purple hue that can be seen on the latter species forewings. It also differs from A. coelacantha as it is much darker and has a distinctive small, round, pale mark on its forewing. Adults are on the wing from December to April.

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

Ichneutica falsidica is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is widespread in the South Island but can only be found in the Tararua Range and Mount Taranaki in the North Island. This species is similar looking to I. panda but I. falsidica has dark dashes on their hind-wings. This species can be found open high country and has been seen flying during the day in sunny warm weather. At night adults are attracted to light. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of the larvae.

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

Ichneutica nobilia is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the South Island, although not in the Nelson, Dunedin or Southland regions. This species prefers rocky habitats in alpine zones and the blueish-grey sheen on the species' forewings help camouflage it. Adults of I. nobilia are on the wing from December to February and are attracted to light. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae.

<i>Physetica homoscia</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica homoscia is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout New Zealand including in the Auckland Islands. This species inhabits places where its host plants are common and this includes costal dune habitat. It lives at a wide range of altitudes from sea-level up to at least 1750 m. The larvae of P. homoscia feed on Ozothamnus leptophyllus and Ozothamnus vauvilliersii. They are very active and drop to the ground when disturbed. Larvae are parasitised by a species of fly. This species pupates in the soil and the pupa life stage lasts for approximately 6 weeks. The adult moths are on the wing from September to June and are attracted to light. The adults of P. homoscia might possibly be confused with Ichneutica moderata however this latter species lacks the small white dots on the forewing veins of P. homoscia. Adults might also be confused with P. temperata but P. homoscia is significantly larger in size.

<i>Physetica temperata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica temperata is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found in the North Island and the top of the South Island in coastal areas. P. temperata is unlikely to be confused with other species in its range, even though it is not distinctively patterned. It is possible that males might be confused with males of P. homoscia but this latter species is much larger. P. temperata can be distinguished from P. caerulea as the former species has forewing veins that are marked black and a chequered forewing fringe. The adults of this species are on the wing from September to March. The life history of this species has not been well documented although it is thought that larval host species is Ozothamnus leptophyllus.

<i>Physetica cucullina</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica cucullina is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the South Island, apart from in the Nelson district with the exception of the St Arnaud Range where it is present. It is likely to be also resident in Stewart Island. P. cucullina lives in shrubland at subalpine and alpine zones but can occur at sea-level in the more southern regions. The life history of this species is poorly documented. There is only one known record in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection of the larvae of this species having been reared. These larvae were reared on Leucopogon fraseri. Adults of this species is on the wing from October to March and are attracted to light. P. cucullina is almost identical in appearance to P. funerea. The only reliable distinguishing feature between the two species is the antennae of the male. P. cucullina is also very similar in appearance to P. sequens but P. sequens lacks the narrow black line on the forewing dorsum area that can be present on the forewings of P. cucullina.

Physetica funerea is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the western and central parts of the South Island. This species inhabits shrubland in the subalpine and alpine zones. The life history of this species is unknown as are the larval host species. Adults of this species are on the wing from October to February. This species is almost identical to P. cucullina with the only difference between the two species being the structure of the male antennae. P. funerea is also similar in appearance to P. sequens, but the latter species tends to have a prominently underlined kidney-shaped mark nearer to the outer edge of the forewing.

<i>Physetica longstaffi</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica longstaffi is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found in the North and South Islands. This species lives in open habitats and shrublands, at altitudes ranging from the low alpine zone down to sea-level. As at 2017 the biology of this species is in need of further investigation as there is no published description of the larvae of this species nor have larval specimens been preserved in collections. There is also confusion over the possible larval host plants for this species. This species is on the wing from February to May. There is also a record from the North Cape in December. The adults of this species is attracted to light. P. longstaffi might possibly be confused with P. sequens or P. phricias. However unlike both P. sequens and P. phricias, P. longstaffi has a large oval mark near the centre of the forewing. Other distinguishing features include further differences in the colouration of the forewings of P. longstaffi as well as differences in the third labial palp segment of the male and differences in the shape of the male genitalia.

<i>Physetica sequens</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica sequens is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North and South Islands. It appears to be more common in the North Island than the South Island, and lives in open native shrublands, peatlands, Northland gumland, inland volcanic dunes, and Dracophyllum-dominated areas at altitudes that range from sea level to the alpine zone, up to at least 1600 m. Larvae of this species have been successfully reared on Leucopogon fasciculatus and Leptecophylla juniperina. The adults of this species are variable in appearance and are on the wing from September to March. P. sequens is similar in appearance to P. phricias but can be distinguished as P. phricias has a narrow black line along the dorsum of its forewing that P. sequens does not. P. sequens is also similar in appearance to P. cucullina however the forewing dorsum area of P. sequens does not have the narrow black line that is frequently present on P. cucullina forewings.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hoare, Robert J. B. (23 June 2017). "Noctuinae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) part 1: Austramathes, Cosmodes, Proteuxoa, Physetica" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 73. Birgit E. Rhode: 1–130. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.73.
  2. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1888). "Supplement to a Monograph of New Zealand Noctuina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 20: 44–47 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (May 1887). "Monograph of New Zealand Noctuina". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 19: 3–40 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. 1 2 3 Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & Co. p. 27. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.32466 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. 1 2 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 75.
  6. ↑ Hampson, George F. (1905). Catalogue of the Noctuidae in the Collection of the British Museum. Vol. 5. London: Printed by order of the Trustees. pp. 385–386.
  7. ↑ Warren, William (1911). "Description of some new Noctuidae in the Tring Museum". Novitates Zoologicae. 18: 140–148. doi: 10.5962/BHL.PART.1692 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  8. 1 2 3 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 205. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  9. 1 2 White, E. G. (1991). "The changing abundance of Moths in a Tussock grassland, 1962-1989, and 50- to 70-year trends" (PDF). New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 15: 5–22.
  10. ↑ "Physetica phricias (Meyrick, 1888) - Invertebrate herbivore biodiversity assessment". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
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