Pterophorus monospilalis

Last updated

Pterophorus monospilalis
Pterophorus monospilalis.jpg
Specimen from the New Zealand Arthropod Collection
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pterophoridae
Genus: Pterophorus
Species:
P. monospilalis
Binomial name
Pterophorus monospilalis
(Walker, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Aciptilus monospilalisWalker, 1864
  • Aciptilus furcatalis var. βWalker, 1864
  • Aciptilus furcatalis var. γWalker, 1864
  • Aciptila monospilalisWalker, 1864
  • Aciptilia patruelisFelder & Rogenhofer, 1875
  • Aciptilia lycosemaMeyrick, 1885
  • Alucita monospilalis(Walker, 1864)
  • Alucita lycosema(Meyrick, 1885)

Pterophorus monospilalis, the white plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and occurs throughout the country. It inhabits native forest, parks and domestic gardens. Larvae are active during the day, are slow moving, and feed exposed. They feed on Araliaceae species as well as on Hedera helix, Meryta sinclairii, and Schefflera digitata. There are several broods in a year. Adult moths are on the wing from November until May and are attracted to light.

Contents

Taxonomy

Illustration of female by George Hudson. Fig 6 MA I437622 TePapa Plate-XXIII-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of female by George Hudson.

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1864 and named Aciptilus monospilalis. [1] In 1875 Cajetan von Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer, thinking they were describing a new species, named it Aciptilia patruelis. [2] In 1885 Meyrick synonymised A. patruelis with A. monospilalis. [3] In the same publication Meyrick, thinking he was describing a new species, also named this species as Aciptilia lycosema. [3] Merick described both A. monospilalis and the newly named A. lycosema in greater detail in a later 1885 publication. [4] In 1913 Meyrick placed both A. monospilalis and A. lycosema into the genus Alucita. [5] This placement was followed by George Hudson in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [6] In the same publication Hudson continued to treated A. lycosema as a separate species. [6] In 1934 A. V. Chappell, while discussing the work Alfred Philpott had undertaken examining the genitalia of both A. monospilalis and A. lycosema, [7] argued that the morphological similarities as well as the life histories of the two were sufficient to show that A. lycosema was a synonym of A.monospilalis. [8] In 1988 John S. Dugdale synonymised the two varieties of the species Aciptilus furcatalis originally described by Walker in his 1864 publication into Pterophorus monospilalis. [1] [9] In 1993 Cees Gielis discussed this species under the name Pterophorus monospilalis but placed it in a list where the species were regarded as having an uncertain status. [10] The male lectotype specimen, collected by D. Bolton in Auckland, is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [9]

Description

Egg

The egg of this species is elliptical shaped and coloured a very pale green with a faint honeycomb pattern on the flattened upper surface. [8]

Larva

The mature larva was described by Chappell as follows:

13 mm. long; gradually tapering posteriorly; dorso-ventrally compressed, the ventral surface flat; 14 apparent segments; 16 legs; spiracles borne at ends of short protuberances. Head whitish with pale ochreous-brown markings on crown and sides, mouth-parts pale brown, ocelli brownish or reddish. Body semi-transparent, of a pale slightly yellowish delicate green through which the darker green alimentary canal is visible; the ventral surface much paler than the dorsal, being rather whitish. Variation in the intensity of green is but slight; some specimens slightly marked with black on anterior dorsal region, and flecked with pinkish or pale mauve. Setae numerous, arising from regular series of small verrucae; dorsal setae red-brown, the others white. [8]

Pupa

The pupa is described by Chappell as being 10 mm long and coloured a very pale green with whitish shades on the wings and ventral portions. There is a noticeable black dorsal mark frequently present on lower thorax. The pupa often has pinkish-mauve marks. There are numerous setae with those on dorsal and lateral surfaces coloured a golden-brown, while those on ventral surface are white. [8]

Adult

The wingspan of the adult moth is between 21–23 mm. The head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs are white. The forewings are snow-white with a few brownish-ochreous scales, a blackish dot before the cleft and a minute one on the inner margin before the middle. The hindwings and cilia are snow-white. [11]

This species has a form that has a brown streak on its forewing. [12] This form can be confused with P. furcatalis but can be distinguished as the second plume is white where as with P. furcatalis that second plume is brown. [12]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. [12] However it tends to be scarce in the northern parts of the North Island as well as in the southern parts of the South Island. [12]

Habitat and hosts

Larval host Pseudopanax arboreus. Pseudopanax arboreus 195626181.jpg
Larval host Pseudopanax arboreus.

The species inhabits native forest as well as domestic gardens and parks. [12] The larvae feed on young new tips of Araliaceae species including Neopanax arboreus , [13] Neopanax colensoi , and Pseudopanax lessonii as well as on Hedera helix, Meryta sinclairii, and Schefflera digitata . [14] [15]

Life history and behaviour

The larvae of this species are diurnal, slow moving, and feed exposed without external protection. [12] [8] When they pupate the cocoon-less pupa is attached to the host plant leaf via a thread of silk. [12] There are several broods in year. [8] Adults are on the wing from November to May. [12] It has been hypothesised that some adults from the autumn brood hibernate through winter. [15] However it is more likely that the species exists in pupa through winter. [15] They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Philocryptica</i> Monotypic genus of tortrix moths

Philocryptica is a monotypic genus of moths belonging to the subfamily Tortricinae of the family Tortricidae. It contains only one species, Philocryptica polypodii, the leather-leaf star-miner, which is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been recorded in both the North Island and the South Island, as far south as Banks Peninsula. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest where the species' larval host is present. The larvae feed on Pyrrosia eleagnifolia, mining the host plant leaves. P. polypodii pupates within the final blotch-mine. Adults are on the wing in November and December.

<i>Amblyptilia falcatalis</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Amblyptilia falcatalis, the common Hebe plume moth, is a species of moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species was first described by Francis Walker and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found in both the North and South Islands. The larval host plants are in the Veronica genus and include Veronica stricta,Veronica salicifolia,Veronica elliptica, Veronica macrocarpa and Veronica speciosa. This moth likely has two broods a year and adults have been observed all year round.

<i>Heterocrossa adreptella</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa adreptella is a moth of the Carposinidae family. This species was long considered the New Zealand raspberry budmoth however this was a taxonomic misinterpretation of the type material used to describe this species. This error was corrected in 1988 with the New Zealand raspberry budmoth giving its own species name Heterocrossa rubophaga. H. adreptella is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the Wellington Botanic Garden and been observed resting on mānuka branches.

<i>Heterocrossa gonosemana</i> Species of moth

Heterocrossa gonosemana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. Larvae feed on seeds and fruit of Griselinia lucida and possibly Griselinia littoralis. They can be extremely active when disturbed. This species overwinters as a pupa, enclosed in a cocoon, underneath its host plant. Adults are on the wing from November until February and can be found during the day resting on lichen covered tree trunks where they are well camouflaged. The adult is nocturnal and is attracted to light.

<i>Amblyptilia deprivatalis</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Amblyptilia deprivatalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species was first described by Frances Walker in 1864. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. Adults are on the wing from October to May and have an affinity to species in the genus Senecio.

<i>Pterophorus furcatalis</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Pterophorus furcatalis, the Pittosporum plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It was first described by Frances Walker and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands. Its preferred habitat is dense native bush. Larval host plants include Pittosporum eugenioides and Pittosporum crassicaule. Adult moths are on the wing from November to March and are attracted to light.

<i>Pterophorus innotatalis</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Pterophorus innotatalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North, South and Ruapuke Islands. Adults of this species have been recorded as being on the wing from October to March as well as in August and prefers to inhabit grass or fern covered hills. The larvae are leaf miners and feed on Dichondra species, including Dichondra brevifolia and Dichondra repens.

<i>Amblyptilia epotis</i> Species of plume moth, endemic to New Zealand

Amblyptilia epotis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South and Stewart Islands. It inhabits mountainous terrain covered in alpine vegetation or alternatively alpine wetland habitat. The adults of this species are on the wing from February to March. In appearance the adults of this species are variable in colour however this species can be distinguished from similar species by the oblique apical streak on its forewings as well as the patch of white on the costa cilia towards the apex of the forewing.

<i>Scoriodyta conisalia</i> Species of moth

Scoriodyta conisalia is a species of moth in the family Psychidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North Island. It has been observed at Karikari, Paihia, in the Poor Knights Islands, and in the Auckland and Wellington regions. The species inhabits native forest and coastal areas where it can be found on rocky outcrops and cliffs. Larvae consume algae and lichens. The adults are on the wing from September to March and are active before sunrise.

<i>Charixena iridoxa</i> Species of moth

Charixena iridoxa, also known as the Astelia zig-zag moth, is a moth of the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1916. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The life cycle of this moth is at least two years in length with the larvae inhabiting the bulb of its host plants and mining the underside of its leaves. These mines have a distinctive zig-zag appearance and can be easily recognised when looked for on the host plants. The larvae pupate in a cocoon attached to the leaf and this stage takes place between February and August. The adult moths emerge in the early spring and are fast, day flying moths. Their larval hosts are plants in the genus Astelia and include Astelia fragrans and Astelia nervosa.

<i>Glaucocharis elaina</i> Species of moth

Glaucocharis elaina is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North and South Island with the exception of the extreme south of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is lowland native forest and as adults the species is attracted to broken ground including road or rail cuttings. Larvae feed on moss species including those in the genus Funaria. This species has two distinct broods during each year. Adults are on the wing from October to April, are nocturnal and are attracted to light.

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

Tingena anaema is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected at Lake Wakatipu, Invercargill and Stewart Island / Rakiura. The adults of the species are on the wing in December.

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

Tingena nycteris is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest and scrubland and adults are on the wing from October to January.

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

Tingena pharmactis is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Nelson, Tasman and Wellington regions. The adults of this species are on the wing in December.

<i>Holocola dolopaea</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Holocola dolopaea is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It was first described in 1905 by Edward Meyrick. The species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Whangārei, Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Christchurch. This species inhabits native forest or scrub glades. Adults are on the wing from September to December and are attracted to black light. This species is regarded as being rare.

<i>Ischalis nelsonaria</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Ischalis nelsonaria, also known as the angled fern looper, is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described in 1875. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. I. nelsonaria inhabits native forest. The larval host of this species is Zealandia pustulata. Larvae have also been raised on Blechnum novae-zelandiae. Adult moths of this species are variable in appearance and are nocturnal. They have been observed on the wing throughout the year but are most frequently observed in February and March. They have been observed feeding on the flowers of Metrosideros diffusa.

<i>Atomotricha isogama</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Atomotricha isogama is a moth in the family Oecophoridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1909. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. Larvae are leaf litter feeders and have been recorded as emerging in the New Zealand spring. Adults have been observed on the wing from July to January.

<i>Chrysorthenches glypharcha</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Chrysorthenches glypharcha is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1919. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest with Podocarpus trees present. The larva and pupa of this species is currently unknown but the adults are on the wing in February, October and November. The adult moths are associated with Podocarpus totara and Podocarpus laetus.

References

  1. 1 2 Francis Walker (1864), List of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. XXX: Tineites, London, pp. 950–951, Wikidata   Q108264250 {{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. von Wüllerstorf-Urbair, Bernhard Freiherr (1864). Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. von Wüllerstorf-Urbair. Vol. 2. Wien: Kaiserlich-Königliche Hof- und Staatsdruckerei; in Commission bei K. Gerold's Sohn. p. Tab. CXL.
  3. 1 2 Edward Meyrick (January 1885). "Description of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. V. Pyralidina". New Zealand Journal of Science. 2: 347. Wikidata   Q115123797.
  4. Edward Meyrick (May 1885). "Art. XII. — Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 17: 125. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q110063611.
  5. Edward Meyrick (1913). "A revision of New Zealand Pyralidina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 45: 47. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q113379622.
  6. 1 2 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 209, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  7. Alfred Philpott (May 1928). "The Male Genitalia of the New Zealand Pterophoridae". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 59: 645–649. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q110071198.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 A. V. Chappell (July 1934). "LIFE-HISTORIES OF SOME NEW ZEALAND LEPIDOPTERA, WITH NOTES ON THE MALE GENITALIA AND LARVAL CHAETOTAXY". Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London. Series B, Taxonomy. 3 (7): 163–168. doi:10.1111/J.1365-3113.1934.TB01571.X. ISSN   0375-0434. Wikidata   Q115123172.
  9. 1 2 John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 133. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  10. Cees Gielis (1993). "Generic revision of the superfamily Pterophoroidea (Lepidoptera)". Zoologische Verhandelingen . 290 (1): 76. ISSN   0024-1652. Wikidata   Q93258703.
  11. Transactions and proceedings of the New Zealand Institute
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Olivier Ball. Auckland. p. 41. ISBN   978-1-86966-399-5. OCLC   891672034.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  13. T. H. Davies (January 1973). "LIST OF LEPIDOPTERA COLLECTED IN AREAS SURROUNDING HASTINGS AND NAPIER" (PDF). New Zealand Entomologist. 5 (2): 204–216. doi:10.1080/00779962.1973.9723002. ISSN   0077-9962. Wikidata   Q54755566. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2013.
  14. "Pterophorus monospilalis (Walker, 1864)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  15. 1 2 3 David Edward Gaskin (1966). "The butterflies and common moths of New Zealand". New Zealand: 172. Wikidata   Q115000559.