Stathmopoda skelloni

Last updated

Stathmopoda skelloni
Stathmopoda skelloni 3 by Siobhan Leachman.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Stathmopodidae
Genus: Stathmopoda
Species:
S. skelloni
Binomial name
Stathmopoda skelloni
(Butler, 1880) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Boocara skelloniButler, 1880
  • Stathmopoda fusilisMeyrick, 1914
  • Stathmopoda phlegyraMeyrick, 1889

Stathmopoda skelloni, the yellow featherfoot, is a species of moth in the Stathmopodidae family. [3] It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. This species inhabits native forest, coastal dunes and shrubland as well as cultivated gardens and orchards. The larvae of this species feed on a variety of plant species including agricultural crops such as kiwifruit and persimmons. The adult moths are on the wing from September until March and are nocturnal but are attracted to light.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1880 and named Boocara skelloni. [2] [4] Butler named this species in honour of William Skellon who had sent various specimens he had collected in Blenheim to Butler. [4] In 1889 Edward Meyrick placed this species within the genus Stathmopoda . [5] In 1921 Meyrick synonymised Stathmopoda fusilis with Stathmopoda phlegyra, which in turn was synonymsied by J. S. Dugdale in 1988 with this species. [2] The female holotype specimen, collected in Blenheim, is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2] The common name for this species is the yellow featherfoot. [6]

The name skelloni was previously incorrectly used for S. horticola , a similar looking species which can be distinguished by the more extensive markings on the forewing of that species. [7]

Description

Illustration by Hudson. Fig 17 MA I437893 TePapa Plate-XXXII-The-butterflies full (cropped).jpg
Illustration by Hudson.

Meyrick described this species as follows:

♂♀︎. 12-15mm. Head, palpi, and antennae pale whitish-ochreous. Thorax whitish-ochreous. Abdomen pale whitish-ochreous, greyish-tinged. Legs pale whitish-ochreous, anterior pair infuscated, apex of posterior tibiae grey. Forewings elongate, very narrow broadest near base, long-pointed; whitish-ochreous, sometimes yellowish-tinged; markings grey, very variable, sometimes partially margined by an ochreous suffusion; normally an elongate spot on inner margin at 1⁄3, a second beneath costa in middle, a third in disc at 2⁄3, a fourth before apex, and a slender subcostal line from second spot to costa near apex, but these tend to be variously connected and confused; sometimes a streak along fold, or along anterior part of costa; rarely a dark ochreous-fuscous suffusion towards base of inner margin : cilia light grey, sometimes ochreous-tinged. Hindwings and cilia light grey. [5]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout New Zealand including in Taranaki, Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu and Invercargill. [1] [5] [7]

Habitat and hosts

Fruits of lemonwood, a larval host of this species. Pittosporum eugenioides 152342435.jpg
Fruits of lemonwood, a larval host of this species.

S. skelloni is found in a variety of habitats including native forest, coastal dunes, shrubland as well as cultivated gardens and orchards. [7] The larvae of this species feed on a variety of native and introduced plants including dried gorse flowers, seeds and flowers of flax species, raupō seeds as well as fruits of lemonwood. [7] Larvae have been reared from dead and dying bracts, flowers, leaves and buds of kiwifruit, old flowers and seeds of Calystegia tuguriorum, the seedpods of Phormium tenax and from flowers of species in the genus Senecio. [8] [9]

Behaviour

Adults are on the wing from September until March. [7] They are a nocturnal species and are attracted to light. [7] This species is similar to other species in its family in that at rest it holds its hind legs outside of its wings. [7] In this posture only the feet of its hind legs touch the ground. [7]

Interaction with humans

This species is a known pest of agricultural crops produced in New Zealand such as kiwifruit and persimmons. [10] [11] Although found to be less frequently observed than S. horticola, S. skelloni is still regarded as an agricultural pest as its larvae are more likely to cause fruit damage compared to other agricultural pest moth species. [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Zealandopterix zonodoxa</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Zealandopterix zonodoxa is a moth of the family Micropterigidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is located from Hawkes Bay north as well as on Poor Knights, Little Barrier and the Great Barrier Islands. It is the smallest micropterigid in New Zealand and the shiny white markings on the forewing of this species display variation. It is a moth that is active during the day, but has been collected using UV light. Adults are on the wing from September to March and the species has been witnessed visiting the flowers of Nīkau and Cordyline pumilio in large numbers. It inhabits a wide variety of moist indigenous forest but is associated with forests in which podocarps are common. Larvae have been sieved from rotten wood on the floor of a mixed podocarp/broadleaf forest or extracted from moss or from bryophytes.

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

Heterocrossa iophaea is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on the seeds of the mataī tree, Prumnopitys taxifolia. Adults are on the wing from October to February. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. During the day the adult moths rest on the trunks of trees or hide among the twigs and leaves on the ground.

<i>Coscinoptycha improbana</i> Species of moth

Coscinoptycha improbana, the Australian guava moth, is a moth of the family Carposinidae and only member of the genus Coscinoptycha. This species is native to Australia but is invasive to New Zealand since 1999 and New Caledonia since 2012. The larvae of this species have been recorded as feeding on a wide variety of fruits and nuts including agricultural crops such as citrus, plums, pears, peaches, feijoa and guava. As such this species is regarded as an agricultural pest. However using a pheromone dispenser armed with the synthesised sex pheromone of the asian peach moth can confuse C. improbana males and disrupt the breeding of this pest species.

<i>Glyphipterix achlyoessa</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Glyphipterix achlyoessa, commonly known as the cocksfoot stem borer, is a species of moth in the family Glyphipterigidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. This species inhabits meadows and open grasslands. The larvae are hosted by species in the genus Juncus as well as by the species Dactylis glomerata. Adult moths are commonly on the wing from October to December.

<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>Pyroderces aellotricha</i> Species of moth

Pyroderces aellotricha, also known as the Cosmet moth, is a moth of the family Cosmopterigidae. It is found in New Zealand, in Australia and the Cook Islands.

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

Ichneutica scutata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found in the southern parts of the North Island as well as the eastern parts of the South Island. It is similar in appearance to I. insignis and I. skelloni but can be distinguished as I. scutata is much paler in appearance. It is likely this species inhabits lowland tussock grasslands as well as coastal dunes although it is not common in inland tussock grasslands. The larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants such as Plantago and Convolvulus species, Plagianthus divaricatus. It pupates on soil near its host plants. The adults are on the wing from late March to July.

<i>Ichneutica steropastis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Ichneutica steropastis, or the flax notcher moth, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country from the Three Kings Islands to Stewart Island as well as in the Chatham Islands. The larvae of this species feed on a variety of native and introduced plants however the New Zealand flax is one of the more well known host plants for the larvae of this moth. The larvae are nocturnal, hiding away in the base of the plants and coming out to feed at night. They create a distinctive notch in the leaf when they feed. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to March. Although adult specimens of I. steropastis are relatively easy to recognise they might possibly be confused with I. inscripta, I. theobroma or with darker forms of I. arotis. However I. steropastis can be distinguished as it has a long dark basal forewing streak that these three species lack.

<i>Chersadaula ochrogastra</i> Species of moth

Chersadaula ochrogastra is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

<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>Stathmopoda holochra</i> Species of moth

Stathmopoda holochra is a moth of the family Stathmopodidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1889 using specimens first collected at the Wellington Botanic Garden. It is endemic to New Zealand. The larvae of this species feed on Phormium seed heads.

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

Anisoplaca acrodactyla is a species of moth of the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1907 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been observed in South Island as well as in the North Island. Larvae feed on species in the genera Hoheria and Plagianthus including the species Plagianthus regius.

<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>Erechthias charadrota</i> Species of moth

Erechthias charadrota is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1880. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest and the larvae likely feed on either deceased plant detritus or tough leaves of plants such as palms or flax. Adults are on the wing commonly from October to February and it is likely this species has two broods per year. Adults have been trapped via a blacklight.

<i>Erechthias hemiclistra</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Erechthias hemiclistra is a species of moth of the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest and has an affinity for species in the genera Phormium,Cortaderia and Cordyline, likely as a result of its larvae feeding on dead fibre sourced from plant species in these genera. Adults are on the wing from September to April but are most commonly observed in December and January. Adults are also attracted to light.

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

Scythris niphozela is a species of moth in the family Scythrididae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is regarded as endemic to the Kaitorete Spit area although it had been recorded in the Manorburn Ecological District. This species inhabits the foredune area of Kaitorete Spit. The larvae feed on Carmichaelia appressa. Adults day fly from October to December. These moths are not attracted to light. The species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

<i>Ichneutica ceraunias</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Ichneutica ceraunias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found from the central North Island to the bottom of the South Island. Hosts of the larvae are species of Chionochloa and Festuca. This colourful moth is variable in appearance and can be mistaken for Ichneutica dione. Adults are on the wing from October to February.

<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 prasinodes</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Orthenches prasinodes is a moth of the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands in the Wellington, Canterbury and Southland regions. It inhabits native forest. The larval host are species in the genus Muehlenbeckia and larvae have been raised on Muehlenbeckia complexia. Adults are on the wing from December until March.

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

Holocola charopa is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the northern parts of the North Island. The larvae web together and feed on the new shoots of their host plant Kunzea ericoides. Adults are on the wing in July and from November until February.

References

  1. 1 2 "Stathmopoda skelloni (Butler, 1880)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 108. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  3. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 4463. ISBN   9781877257933. OCLC   973607714.
  4. 1 2 Butler, A. G. (1880). "On a collection of Lepidoptera Heterocera from Marlborough Province, New Zealand". Cistula Entomologica. 2: 541–562 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. 1 2 3 Meyrick, Edward (May 1889). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 21: 154–188 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. ↑ "Yellow Featherfoot (Stathmopoda skelloni)". iNaturalist.org. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Ball, Olivier. Auckland: New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd. p. 36. ISBN   9781869663995. OCLC   891672034.
  8. ↑ "Stathmopoda skelloni (Butler, 1880)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  9. ↑ Brian H. Patrick (1994), Coastal butterflies and moths of Wellington and South Wairarapa. (PDF), Wikidata   Q110426707, archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2021
  10. ↑ Susan J. Muggleston (April 1989). "Rearing and the effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause in Stathmopoda aposema (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae: Stathmopodinae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 16 (2): 199–204. doi:10.1080/03014223.1989.10422569. ISSN   0301-4223. Wikidata   Q112181427.
  11. ↑ "Importation of Fresh Persimmons From New Zealand Into the United States". unblock.federalregister.gov. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  12. ↑ D. Steven (April 1992). "PEST LEPIDOPTERA OF KIWIFRUIT IN NEW ZEALAND". Acta Horticulturae (297): 531–536. doi:10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1992.297.69. ISSN   0567-7572. Wikidata   Q112181580.
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.