Physetica temperata

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Physetica temperata
Aletia s.l. temperata female.jpg
Female
Aletia s.l. temperata 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. temperata
Binomial name
Physetica temperata
(Walker, 1858)
Synonyms [1]
  • Bryophila temperataWalker, 1858
  • Xylina incepturaWalker, 1858
  • Xylina decepturaWalker, 1858
  • Mamestra temperata(Walker, 1858)
  • Melanchra temperata(Walker, 1858)
  • Morrisonia temperata(Walker, 1858)
  • Aletia accurataPhilpott, 1917
  • Aletia eucrossaMeyrick, 1927

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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1858 and named Bryophila temperata. [2] In the same publication, Walker, thinking he was describing new species also named this species Xylina inceptura and Xylina deceptura. [2] In 1887 Edward Meyrick synonymised these two latter names and placed the species in the name in the Mamestra. [3] In 1898 George Hudson discussed this species under the name Leucania temperata. [4] In 1905, George Hampson also discussed this species and placed it within the genus Morrisonia. [5] In 1917 Alfred Philpott, thinking he was describing a new species, named it Aletia accurata. [6] In 1927 Meyrick thinking he was describing a new species, named this species Aletia eucrossa. [7] In 1928 Hudson again discussed this moth, but this time under the name Melanchra temperata. [8] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale synonymised the names Aletia accurata and Aletia eucrossa, and placed this species in the genus Aletia. [9] In 2017 Robert Hoare undertook a review of New Zealand Noctuinae and placed this species in the genus Physetica. [1] The female holotype specimen was collected by J. F. Churton, likely in Auckland, and is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [9]

Description

Male P. temperata illustrated by George Hudson. Fig 28 MA I437609 TePapa Plate-X-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Male P. temperata illustrated by George Hudson.

Walker originally described this species as follows:

Male. Cinereous, somewhat paler beneath. Body stout. Third joint of the palpi porrect, linear, rounded at the tip, about half the length of the second. Wings shining, rather narrow. Fore wings slightly clouded, with darker cinereous in the disk, slightly marked with black along the cosla and on the veins ; orbicular and reniforra marks slightly bordered with black ; the former nearly elliptical; the latter oblong-subquadrate, hardly contracted in the middle; marginal points black; ciliae dark cinereous, with white streaks. Hind wings brownish cinereous, with white ciliae. Length of the body 5 lines ; of the wings 14 lines. [2]

The adult male of this species has a wingspan of between 30 and 32 mm whereas the female has a wingspan of between 32 and 35 mm. P. temperata is unlikely to be confused with other species in its range, even though it is not distinctively patterned. [1] It is possible that males might be confused with males of P. homoscia but this latter species is much larger. [1] P. temperata can be distinguished from P. caerulea as the former species has forewing veins that are marked black and a chequered forewing fringe. [1]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [10] [11] This species can be found in the North Island and in the north parts of the South Island. [1]

Habitat

Ozothamnus leptophyllus, the likely larval host species of P. temperata. Ozothamnus leptophyllus by Peter de Lange.jpg
Ozothamnus leptophyllus, the likely larval host species of P. temperata.

This species lives in coastal habitats. [1]

Behaviour

The adults of this species are on the wing from September to March. [1]

Life history and host plants

The life history of this species has not been well documented although it is thought that larval host species is Ozothamnus leptophyllus. [1]

Related Research Articles

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

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<i>Proteuxoa comma</i> Species of moth

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<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>Bityla defigurata</i> Species of moth

Bityla defigurata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Austramathes fortis</i> Species of moth

Austramathes fortis is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and the South Islands but has yet to be recorded at Stewart Island. It can be found in shrubland containing its host species at a range of altitudes from sea-level up to 1840 m. The larvae of this moth feed on several Melicytus species including M. crassifolius, M. alpinus, M. macrophyllus and M. novae-zelandiae. The larvae pupate in a cocoon of silk at the base of its host plant. It can take between 25 and 45 days before the adult moth emerges. Adults can be found on the wing during the months of July to March. The adults tend to be on the wing in twilight hours but have also been known to be active during the late afternoon. They are attracted to light but this behaviour may limit the number seen at light traps. The distinguishing feature of this moth is the curved black line at the base of its forewing. This species is unlikely to be confused with any other species in its range but it is very similar in appearance to A. squaliolus. However this latter species is only found on the Chatham Islands.

<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>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.

<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.

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

Tingena innotella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits open native forest or scrubland and adults are on the wing from December to March. T. innotella appears to have an affinity for the silver tree fern.

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

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.

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

Tingena phegophylla is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. This species inhabits native beech forest. The adults of this species are on the wing in December.

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

Tingena plagiatella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits light native bush or scrubland. Adults of this species are on the wing from November to January.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 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: 44–46. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.73. ISSN   0111-5383. OCLC   1002177011. Wikidata   Q44893580.
  2. 1 2 3 Francis Walker (1856), List of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part XV. - Noctuidae, vol. 15, pp. 1648–1649, Wikidata   Q108312272
  3. ↑ Edward Meyrick (1887). "Monograph of New Zealand Noctuina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 19: 27–28. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q104048034.
  4. ↑ George Vernon Hudson (1898), New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) , Illustrator: George Hudson, London, p. 9, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.7912, OCLC   980865393, Wikidata   Q19073637 {{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ↑ George Francis Hampson (1905), Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum. Volume V: Catalogue of the Noctuidae in the Collection of the British Museum, vol. 5, pp. 1–634, Wikidata   Q97092303
  6. ↑ Alfred Philpott (1917). "Art. XIII. - Descriptions of new species of Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 49: 239. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q108312592.
  7. ↑ Edward Meyrick (15 November 1927). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 58: 313. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q108312620.
  8. ↑ George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington, p. 75, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286 {{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. 1 2 John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 201. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  10. ↑ "Physetica temperata (Walker, 1858)". www.nzor.org.nz. 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  11. ↑ "Physetica temperata (Walker, 1858)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
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