Rhathamictis perspersa

Last updated

Rhathamictis perspersa
Rhathamictis perspersa 114046080.jpg
Observed in Khandallah, Wellington
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Psychidae
Genus: Rhathamictis
Species:
R. perspersa
Binomial name
Rhathamictis perspersa
Meyrick, 1924 [1]

Rhathamictis perspersa is a moth of the family Psychidae. [1] This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1924. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Wellington region. Larvae of this species build small protective cases in which they hide and feed. The cases are brown and are neat in construction. The larvae live under the loose bark of trees and feed on inert animal matter. The adults have been observed on the wing in February and March.

Contents

Taxonomy

R. perspersa was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1924 using a specimen collected at Otari-Wilton's Bush in Wellington by George Hudson in March. [2] [3] Hudson discussed this species and illustrated the male in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [3] In 1950 Hudson discussed and illustrated the female of the species. [4] J. S. Dugdale in his 1988 publication Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa misspelt the specific epithet as perspera. [5] He also indicated in that publication that the generic assignment in the species' original description was to in the genus Mallobathra, where as Rhathamictis is the correct generic assignment. [5] [2] The male holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [5]

Description

Illustration of male. Fig 16 MA I437901 TePapa Plate-XL-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of male.
Illustration of female Fig 7 Plate IV Fragments of New Zealand Entomology (cropped).png
Illustration of female

Meyrick described the male of this species as follows:

♂. 14 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax grey. Forewings elongate, apex rounded-obtuse, termen obliquely rounded; dark purple-grey; scattered whitish-ochreous dots and strigulae—viz., about 7 transverse strigulae from costa, several in disc, a dot at apex, and about 15 small irregular dots in dorsal area: cilia purplish-coppery. Hindwings dark purple; cilia grey. [2]

Hudson described the female of this species from a specimen collected at Gollan's Valley in February, a month earlier than the holotype. His description is as follows:

It is darker and blacker in colour than the male specimen from which the original figure and descriptions were taken. It also has definite, clear whitish-ochreous marks on the dorsum of forewings at 1⁄3and 2⁄3. The pale whitish-ochreous dots on the other portions of the wing are rather obscure, and some of them are only visible in certain lights. [4]

Hudson goes on to hypothesise that, as a result of the dates of capture, the holotype specimen may be worn or faded. [4]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [6] It has been collected in the Wellington region. [4] This species is said to be associated with the species Olearia hectorii which is endemic to the South Island. [7]

Behaviour and life cycle

Larvae of this species build small protective cases in which they hide and from which they feed. [8] Adults of this species have been recorded on the wing in February and March. [4] [3]

Little is known of its habits, but according to a study the case-bearing larvae live largely under the loose bark of trees and feed on inert animal matter, either live, such as pupae and the eggs of invertebrates, or animal detritus, such as dead moths. [7] Under such trees the abandoned cases may be numerous, and indicate that the adult eclosion season is late summer and that the species is univoltine.[ citation needed ] The cases are brown and are neat in construction; [7] the case of the mature larva is about 8 mm in length.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<i>Thectophila</i> Genus of moths

Thectophila is a genus of moths in the family Cosmopterigidae, although some sources place it in the family Blastodacnidae. The genus contains only one species, Thectophila acmotypa. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Sabatinca doroxena</i> Moth species in family Micropterigidae

Sabatinca doroxena is a species of moth belonging to the family Micropterigidae. It is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. This small moth has a colourful forewing pattern with stripes and dots evident. It has been hypothesised that the forewing pattern is intended to resemble a jumping spider in order to allow the adult moth to escape predation. Adults of this species are on the wing from the beginning of September until mid January. It prefers damp but sunny habitat in deep forest, at the forest edge or in open shrubland. Larvae feed on foliose liverwort species including on Heteroscyphus normalis. Adults of this species have been located at the blossoms of flowering Cordyline and Ranunculus species.

<i>Sabatinca calliarcha</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Sabatinca calliarcha is a species of moth belonging to the family Micropterigidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1912. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in two separate areas of New Zealand - the first in the norther parts of the North Island including Great Barrier Island and the second population can be found from the top of the South Island down to Southland. The adults of the species are on the wing from the end of September until the middle of January. The species prefers to inhabit damp forests and larvae likely feed on leafy liverwort species. Adult moths likely feed on the spores of ferns or the pollen of sedge grasses.

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

Heterocrossa eriphylla, also known as the lichen snoutlet moth, is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The larvae of this species feed on the healing wounds of New Zealand beech trees.

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

Heterocrossa exochana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Amblyptilia heliastis</i> Species of plume moth

Amblyptilia heliastis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. The larvae of this species feed on Veronica species. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to February and can often be found amongst subalpine Veronica species.

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

Amblyptilia lithoxesta is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. This species inhabits rough herbage on mountain sides. Larvae feed on Veronica buchananii. Adults are on the wing in January.

<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>Stathmopoda campylocha</i> Species of moth

Stathmopoda campylocha is a species of moth in the family Stathmopodidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Apoctena orthocopa</i> Species of moth

Apoctena orthocopa, also known as striped ponga leaf-tyer, is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is found only on the North Island.

<i>Pyrgotis eudorana</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pyrgotis eudorana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic in New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. However it is regarded as a rare insect. This species inhabits native forest. Larvae exclusively feed on Muehlenbeckia australis and adults are on the wing from November to April. Adults are attracted to light.

<i>Pyrgotis pyramidias</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Pyrgotis pyramidias is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. This species is regarded as having two 'forms' although doubt has been expressed whether these are the same species.

<i>Pyrgotis transfixa</i> Species of moth

Pyrgotis transfixa is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Anisoplaca ptyoptera</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Anisoplaca ptyoptera is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found throughout the North and South Islands and prefers habitat where its host plants are common. The larval hosts of this moth are species in the genus Carmichaelia and the larvae stem mine the host plant. However larvae have also been observed feeding on gorse species and as a result their potential as a biological control for gorse has been researched. This behaviour has only been recorded in the Canterbury and Otago regions. A. ptyoptera overwinters as larvae and while in that life stage can be parasitised by species of wasp in the genera Zealachertus and Diadegma. Pupation begins in October. Adult moths are on the wing from October until May with peak emergence occurring in January. The adult moths come in two size classes and should the size of the female be in the larger class fecundity is improved. It is likely that this species has only one brood a year.

<i>Trachypepla cyphonias</i> Species of moth

Trachypepla cyphonias is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Wellington and Taranaki. Larvae of this species have been reared from kānuka leaf litter. Adults are on the wing in December. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Proteodes profunda</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Proteodes profunda is a species of moth in the family Depressariidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been collected in its type locality of Mount Holdsworth in the Tararua Range, Raurimu near Tongariru National Park, at Days Bay in Wellington, at Mount Arthur, Otira, Invercargill, and in Southland. P. profunda lives in beech forests at altitudes of around 2000 ft and larvae feed on beech tree leaves. Adults of this species are on the wing from November to February.

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

Tingena chloritis is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the South Island. Larvae of this species feed on leaf litter. The adults of this species are light flyers and are attracted to light.

<i>Trachypepla anastrella</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Trachypepla anastrella 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. Larvae are leaf litter feeders from the host plant Olearia fragrantissima and adults are on the wing from December until March.

<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>Orthenches chartularia</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Orthenches chartularia is a moth of the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1924. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits open grassy areas in native subalpine forest. Adults are on the wing in January and February.

References

  1. 1 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.
  2. 1 2 3 E. Meyrick (1924). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 55: 662. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q110305498.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  3. 1 2 3 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 344, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 George Vernon Hudson (1950), Fragments of New Zealand entomology. - a popular account of all New Zealand cicadas. The natural history of the New Zealand glow-worm. A second supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand and notes on many other native insects., Wellington, p. 113, Wikidata   Q107693053 {{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  5. 1 2 3 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.
  6. ↑ "Rhathamictis perspersa Meyrick, 1924". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  7. 1 2 3 Brian H. Patrick (December 2000). Lepidoptera of small-leaved divaricating Olearia in New Zealand and their conservation priority (PDF). Vol. 168. Wellington: Department of Conservation. p. 20. ISBN   0-478-22015-4. ISSN   1173-2946. OCLC   48661253. OL   31493622M. Wikidata   Q63012786.{{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  8. ↑ "Breeding bag moths in captivity". Otago Daily Times. 23 July 2018. p. 11. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.