Rhathamictis nocturna

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Rhathamictis nocturna
Rhathamictis nocturna 105015351.jpg
Living specimen
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Psychidae
Genus: Rhathamictis
Species:
R. nocturna
Binomial name
Rhathamictis nocturna
(Clarke, 1926) [1]
Synonyms [1]
  • Mallobathra nocturnaClarke, 1926

Rhathamictis nocturna is a moth of the Psychidae family. [2] This species was described by Charles Edwin Clarke in 1926. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the Auckland region. Larvae of this species build small protective cases in which they hide and from which they feed. Adults have been observed on the wing in November and January.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Charles E. Clarke in 1926 using specimens collected at Kauri Gully, Auckland in January and named Mallobathra nocturna. [3] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Rhathamictis. [4] The male holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. [4]

Description

Male holotype. Rhathamictis nocturna AMNZ21771.jpg
Male holotype.

Clarke described the species as follows:

♂. 8 mm. Head, palpi, and antennae fuscous. Antennal ciliations 2.- Thorax and legs fuscous. Abdomen light fuscous. Forewings elongateoval, costa arched, apex rounded, hind-margin rather rounded; dark fuscous : cilia dark fuscous. Hindwings fuscous : cilia fuscous. [3]

R. nocturna can be distinguished from its sister species R. perspersa as it is smaller and lacks the distinct yellowish forewing speckling of the latter species. [5]

Distribution

R. nocturna is endemic to New Zealand and have been observed in the Auckland region. [1] [3]

Behaviour

Larvae of this species build small protective cases in which they hide and from which they feed. [6] Adults of this species have been observed on the wing in November and January. [3] [5]

Collecting specimens

Clarke stated that he collected the type specimen during the day by beating brushwood. He also explained that he subsequently collected this species in the early morning when the air was extremely moist. [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Rhathamictis nocturna (Clarke, 1926)". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  2. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 463. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Charles Edwin Clarke (12 July 1926). "New species of Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 56: 421. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q63101109.
  4. 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: 69. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  5. 1 2 dr_robert (2020-11-20). "Rhathamictis nocturna". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  6. ↑ "Breeding bag moths in captivity". Otago Daily Times. 23 July 2018. p. 11. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  7. ↑ Charles E. Clarke (February 1933). "The Lepidoptera of the Te Anau-Manapouri Lakes Districts". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 63 (2): 115. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q62934927.
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