Physetica sequens

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Physetica sequens
Graphania sequens female.jpg
Female
Graphania sequens male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Physetica
Species:
P. sequens
Binomial name
Physetica sequens
(Howes, 1912) [1]
Synonyms [2] [1]
  • Morrisonia sequensHowes, 1912
  • Melanchra distractaMeyrick, 1924
  • Melanchra sequens(Howes, 1912)
  • Graphania sequens(Howes, 1912)

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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by George Howes in 1912 using specimens collected by George Blundell Longstaff at Whakarewarewa and named the species Morrisonia sequens. [3] In 1924 Edward Meyrick, thinking he was describing a new species, named this moth Melanchra distracta. [4] In 1928 George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under the name Melanchra sequens. [5] He also discussed Melanchra distracta, also thinking it a separate species. [5] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Graphania and at the same time synonymised Melanchra distracta into that name. [2] In 2017 Robert Hoare undertook a review of New Zealand Noctuinae and placed this species in the genus Physetica. [1] While reviewing this species Hoare designated a lectotype specimen, held at the Natural History Museum, London. [1] The Auckland War Memorial Museum hold a paralectotype specimen of this species. [6]

Description

P. sequens as illustrated by George Howes in his original description. Morrisonia sequens by W. G. Howes.png
P. sequens as illustrated by George Howes in his original description.
Female paralectotype specimen of Physetica sequens AMNZ21784 held at the Auckland Museum. Graphania sequens AMNZ21784 d.jpg
Female paralectotype specimen of Physetica sequens AMNZ21784 held at the Auckland Museum.

Hoare describes the larva of this species as follows:

dull green with brown and grey dorsal markings. [1]

Howes described the adults of this species as follows:

♂, 31 mm. ; ♀, 34 mm. Head and thorax grey, strongly crested. Antennae filiform. Abdomen ochreous grey, crests slight. Forewings bright grey, irrorated with fuscous. A jagged subbasal line, strongly marked on submedian fold, where it turns abruptly towards base. A dark line across wing at 1⁄3, double, space between double lines grey (not irrorated), a dark mark on costa at 1⁄2, followed by two more above reniform. Subterminal line faint and suffused. A terminal series of black points ; a few dark points outline veins. Orbicular faint, but with a well-defined line along lower edge. Reniform defined by a dark line below and on terminal edge. Cilia grey, mixed with fuscous. Hind -wings brown, darker towards termen. Cilia brown, with fine paler line at base. Tips grey-white. [3]

The adult wingspan of the male P. sequens is between 31 and 42 mm and for the female is between 32.5 and 44 mm. [1] This species is variable in appearance with larger specimens being found in Tongariro National Park. However although these examples have less prominently underlined reniform stigma, Hoare considered them falling within the same species as there were no other distinguishing characteristics that might support separating them off. [1] 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. [3] [1] P. sequens is also similar in appearance to P. cucullina however the forewing dorsum area of the former species does not have the narrow black line that is frequently present on P. cucullina forewings. [1]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [7] [8] It can be found throughout the North and South Islands. [1]

Habitat

This species 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. [1] This species appears to be more common in the North Island than the South Island. [1]

Behaviour

Adults are on the wing from September to March. [1]

Biology and host species

Leptecophylla juniperina, a larval host species of P. sequens. Leptecophylla juniperina 108061840.jpg
Leptecophylla juniperina, a larval host species of P. sequens.

Larvae of this species have been successfully reared on Leucopogon fasciculatus and Leptecophylla juniperina. [1] Adults of P. sequens have been witnessed feeding on the flowers of as well as pollinating Dracophyllum acerosum . [9] [10]

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.

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

Physetica prionistis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1887. It is endemic to New Zealand and is widespread throughout the North, South and Chatham Islands. This species can be found in open clearings of shrubland and forest at altitudes from sea level up to the alpine zone. Adults are on the wing throughout the year and are attracted to sugar traps and occasionally to light. The life history of this species is unknown as are the larval host species.

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

Ichneutica mollis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found from the Coromandel peninsular and Mount Te Aroha southwards including in the South and Stewart Islands. It lives in a variety of habitats including mountainous beech forest, podocarp forest and also grasslands. The larvae feed on grasses and herbs. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to March and are attracted to light and feed on blossoms.

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

Ichneutica olivea is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the central North Island down to the central South Island. It is very similar in appearance to I. lindsayorum but has a shorter basal streak and has white scaling from the subterminal line on the forewings that I. lindsayorum lacks This species prefers shrubland habitat. The life history of I. olivea is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. The adults are on the wing from December to March and are attracted to light.

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

Ichneutica omicron is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found only in the middle and lower parts of the North Island. It is very similar in appearance to its sister species Ichneutica barbara. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of the larvae. The adults are on the wing in November and December. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Ichneutica petrograpta is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand where it is found in the southwest districts of the South Island, including Westland, Otago Lakes and Fiordland. It is very similar in appearance to I. mutans. It inhabits tussock and shrubland in the alpine to subalpine zones. Adults of I. petrograpta are on the wing from December to February and are attracted to sugar traps. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae.

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

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.

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

Ichneutica oliveri is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, found only in the South Island. However it has not been observed on the eastern side of that island from mid-Canterbury southwards to Southland. This species is distinctive and is unlikely to be confused with other closely related species. It inhabits tussock grasslands, shrubland as well as granite sand plains, all in the alpine zone. Adults are on the wing from December to March and are attracted to light. They have been observed feeding on the flowers of Hebe species. The life history of this species is unknown as are the larval hosts.

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

Ichneutica sericata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is variable and difficult to distinguish from I. skelloni specimens. It is known from the southern part of the South Island and from Stewart Island. There has been one specimen collected in Taranaki but although Robert Hoare determined the species, he expressed reservations given the location of collection. I. sercata inhabits shrubland at altitudes of between 470 and 900m. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. The adults of this species are on the wing in August at Stewart Island and in November and December in the South Island.

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

Meterana tetrachroa is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

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

Ichneutica averilla is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in the North Island at Mount Taranaki but is widespread throughout the South Island and Stewart Island. It prefers mountainous habitat but can be found down to sea level in the southern parts of the South Island. Adults of the species are on the wing between November and March. Larvae likely exist on a variety of herbaceous plants but have been recorded as feeding on species within the genus Plantago. This species is sometimes confused with I. mutas but can be distinguished from the latter on the basis of forewing colour as well as the absence of or an indistinct antemedian forewing line.

<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 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 panda</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica panda is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and only found in central and southern parts of the South Island. The species has not been collected in Canterbury since the late 1950s and has not been seen at The Wilderness scientific reserve since 1941. This species is similar in appearance to Ichneutica falsidica however I. panda lack or have indistinct black dashes on their edge of their hindwings. I. panda inhabit shrubland from alpine zones down to river terraces and adults are on the wing between December to February. The life history of this species is unknown as is the host species of the larvae.

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

Ichneutica bromias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand where is found on the Chatham, Pitt and Rangatira Islands. This species is similar in appearance to Ichneutica mutans but is darker and duller in its overall appearance. However, as I. mutans is not present in the Chathams this similarity is unlikely to cause confusion. The adults of the species are on the wing from November to March. The life history and the larval host species are unknown.

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

Ichneutica erebia is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found on Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands. Adults of this species are on the wing from August to January. The adults are variable in appearance but can be distinguished from similar species by the patters or lack thereof on their forewings. The larvae of I. erebia are polyphagous and hosts include Pleurophyllum criniferum, species within the genera Stilbocarpa and Carex, as well as Chionochloa antarctica', Urtica australis and Raukaua simplex.

<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 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Robert J. B. Hoare (23 June 2017). Illustrator: Birgit E. Rhode. "Noctuinae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) part 1: Austramathes, Cosmodes, Proteuxoa, Physetica" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. 73: 49–51. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.73. ISSN   0111-5383. OCLC   1002177011. Wikidata   Q44893580.
  2. 1 2 John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 205. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 George Howes (10 June 1912), New species of Lepidoptera, with notes on the larvae and pupae of some New Zealand butterflies, vol. 44, pp. 204–205, Wikidata   Q108292136
  4. ↑ Edward Meyrick (30 September 1924). "Notes and Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 55: 202. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q65974639.
  5. 1 2 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington, pp. 75–76, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  6. ↑ "Graphania sequens". www.aucklandmuseum.com. 22 November 2002. Retrieved 31 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ "Physetica sequens (Howes, 1912)". www.nzor.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ "Physetica sequens (Howes, 1912)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "Physetica sequens (Howes, 1912)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 30 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ Richard B. Primack (July 1983). "Insect pollination in the New Zealand mountain flora". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 21 (3): 317–333. doi:10.1080/0028825X.1983.10428561. ISSN   0028-825X. Wikidata   Q54669862.
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