Stigmella cypracma

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Stigmella cypracma
Stigmella cypracma 58041775.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nepticulidae
Genus: Stigmella
Species:
S. cypracma
Binomial name
Stigmella cypracma
(Meyrick, 1916) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Nepticula cypracmaMeyrick, 1916
  • Nepticula perissopaMeyrick, 1919

Stigmella cypracma is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. [3] It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species are leaf miners and pupate within their mines. The larval host species is Brachyglottis repanda. Adult moths are on the wing in February and September to November. This species has two generations per year.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1916 using a female specimen collected by George Hudson in November in Karori and named Nepticula cypracma. [4] [2] In 1919 Meyrick, thinking he was describing a new species, also named it Nepticula perissopa. [5] For this he used a specimen collected by Hudson at Mount Taranaki. [2] In 1921 Morris N. Watt described this moth and its lifecycle in detail under the name Nepticula perissopa. [6] In 1928 Hudson described and illustrated the species under the name Nepticula cypracma and also describing it under the name Nepticula perissopa. [7] However he expresses doubt at the distinction between the two species. [7] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale places both these species within the genus Stigmella. [8] [9] In 1989 Hans Donner and Christopher Wilkinson synonymised Stigmella perissopa with Stigmella cypracma. [2] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [8]

Description

Illustration by G. Hudson. Stigmella cypracma Fig 4 Plate XXXIV (cropped).jpg
Illustration by G. Hudson.

Watt described the empty egg shell of this species as being white and shiny. It is wafer-like, oval, slightly broader at the anterior end, and domed above. [6] Watt also described the larva of this species. He stated:

When young the larva is white in colour, flattened, moniliform ; alimentary canal greyish-brown. In the fully-fed larva the body is cylindrical, only very slightly flattened dorso-ventrally ; length about 5mm. ; head flattened, retractile, rounded, in the younger larvae bluntly triangular ; segments well rounded but not deeply incised, the mesothorax has the greatest diameter, the metathorax and first seven abdominal segments being about equal, segments 8 to 10 acutely attenuated; there is a deep constriction between 8 and 9; 9 is very small. Ground-colour palest green, almost white; central marking fairly broad, light yellow from the head to the eighth abdominal segment ; head pale yellowish-brown, sutures and mouth-parts reddish and darker. [...] Surface of body covered with a very minute pile. Setae inconspicuous ; main setae about half as long as their respective segments. [6]

The cocoon is oval in shape, broader at its anterior end, 4.5 mm by 2 mm, flattened top and bottom 1mm. The silk on the outside is pale-vellowish and compact, and within this is an inner cocoon of white silk which also has its prepared anterior outlet. [6]

Leaf of B repanda showing mine, resulting blotch and cocoon of S. cypracma. Nepticula perissopa Trans. N.Z. Proc. Vol. 53 Plate XLI (cropped).jpg
Leaf of B repanda showing mine, resulting blotch and cocoon of S. cypracma.

Meyrick originally described the adult moth of the species as follows:

♀︎. 7 mm. Head whitish-yellowish, collar grey-whitish. Antennal eye-caps whitish. Thorax dark grey. Abdomen grey. Forewings lanceolate ; prismatic grey-whitish, irregularly sprinkled with dark grey ; basal fourth dark purple-grey ; a deep coppery-bronze apical spot mixed with blackish : cilia violet-grey sprinkled with black. Hindwings and cilia grey. [4]

Watt described the adult female moth as follows:

Female 6 - 8 mm. Head light yellowish-brown ; base of antennae whitish, antennae about 1⁄2, dark grey. Thorax and abdomen dark grey to black. Forewings broad, ground-colour whitish with a pale violet reflection in a bright light, irrotated with black scales; at about 2⁄3 the whitish scales predominate slightly so as to form a fairly broad and sometimes quite distinct pale transverse bar across wing; the black scales predominate in the terminal 1⁄4 of the wing, and near the apex surround a distinct round spot, black in some lights, golden-brown in others ; a similar but smaller spot in centre of wing a little beyond 1⁄2, the light transverse bar before mentioned separating the one from the other. In some specimens there may be slight evidence of a second light transverse bar across wing to the inner side of the central spot. A black cilial line; cilia dark grey with violet and reddish reflections. [6]

Watt described the adult male as follows:

In the male the black scales greatly predominate, and there is little or no evidence of light transverse bars. The central spot is sometimes missing. [6]

S. cypracma can be distinguished from similar species S. ogygia and S. hakekeae as it has wings that are broader and more evenly coloured. [2] However adults of this species are very similar in appearance to S. atrata. [10]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [11] Other than the type locality of Wellington, this species or its mines have been collected from Northland, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Whanganui, and Havelock. [2] Watt regarded this species as being common in the Wellington Botanic Garden. [6]

Life cycle

Eggs of this species are laid singly and normally with only one or two eggs on the upper side of the leaf. The egg is firmly cemented to the leaf, and persists at the commencement of the mine for many weeks filled with frass. Once hatched the larvae mine the leaf and create a long narrow gallery terminating in an expanded blotch, and is constructed immediately beneath the upper cuticle of the leaf. Its general direction is, as a rule, from within towards the margin of the leaf. The larva mines dorsum uppermost. Frass is plentiful, finely granular, black, and in the gallery is deposited in the central three-fourths of the mine. The last act of the larva is to prepare an outlet at the margin of the blotch, and just within this it constructs its cocoon. The cocoon is constructed within the blotch close against its outer margin. The pupal duration lasts about fifteen days. When the imago is ready to emerge the pupa is thrust out the anterior end of the cocoon and through the slit in the under-cuticle, the anal segments being retained within the cocoon. Emergence takes place on the under-surface of the leaf. [6]

Biology and behaviour

Larvae have been recorded from May to October and in December. [2] They mine the leaves of their host plant. [2] [12] This makes S. cypracma one of only two species within New Zealand that pupate within their mine. [2] Cocoons with live pupae have been found in May, June, August, September and December. [2]

Adults have been recorded on the wing in February and from September to November. There are two generations per year. [2]

Habitat and host species

Brachyglottis repanda Brachyglottis repanda by Siobhan Leachman.jpg
Brachyglottis repanda

The larvae feed on Brachyglottis repanda. [12] [6] As such this moth species inhabits the same habitat as its host plant; coastal, lowland and lower montane shrubland and open forest. [13]

Threats

The larvae of this moth is frequently preyed upon by minute hymenopterous parasites. [6]

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>Stigmella microtheriella</i> Species of moth

Stigmella microtheriella is a moth of the family Nepticulidae, found in Asia, Europe and New Zealand. The larvae mine the leaves of hazel and hornbeams. It was described by the English entomologist, Henry Tibbats Stainton in 1854 from a type specimen found in England.

Stigmella oxyacanthella is a moth of the family Nepticulidae, found in Europe and North America. The larvae are leaf miners feeding inside the leaves of trees and shrubs, such as hawthorn, apple and pear.

<i>Stigmella lapponica</i> Species of moth

Stigmella lapponica is a moth of the family Nepticulidae found in Asia, Europe and North America. It was first described by the German entomologist, Maximilian Ferdinand Wocke in 1862. The larvae mine the leaves of birch.

<i>Stigmella plagicolella</i> Species of moth

Stigmella plagicolella is a moth of the family Nepticulidae described by Henry Tibbats Stainton in 1854. It is found in all of Europe and the Near East.

<i>Stigmella aurella</i> Species of moth

Stigmella aurella is a moth of the family Nepticulidae found in Africa, Asia and Europe. It was first described by the Danish zoologist, Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. The larvae are leaf miners.

Stigmella sorbi is a moth of the family Nepticulidae, described by Henry Tibbats Stainton in 1861. It is found in most of Europe, east to the eastern part of the Palearctic realm.

<i>Stigmella crataegella</i> Species of moth

Stigmella crataegella is a moth of the family Nepticulidae found in Europe. It was described by the Austrian entomologist Josef Wilhelm Klimesch in 1936. The larvae mine the leaves of hawthorns.

Stigmella atrata is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed on the North Island, South Island and Stewart Island. The larvae of this species are leaf miners of Brachyglottis elaeagnifolia and Brachyglottis rotundifolia and have been recorded in April, May, July and September. Larvae pupate on the ground in a cocoon. Adults have been observed on the wing in January, February, November and December. It has been hypothesised that there is probably only one generation per year.

<i>Stigmella fulva</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Stigmella fulva is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North Island around Mount Taranaki, in the South Island and at Stewart Island. The species' eggs are laid singly but a considerable number may be deposited on the upper surface of one leaf. The incubation period can last from a week to a month depending on climatic conditions. The larvae mine the leaves of their host plants which are all in the genus Olearia. Larvae have been recorded in all months except January, February and June. The cocoon is brown and spun amongst the leaf litter under its host plant. The pupal period has been shown to range from 21 days to 79 days, again depending on climatic conditions. Adults have been observed on the wing January until March and August to December. They are active in the sun about their larval food plant.

Stigmella hakekeae is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The larvae feed on Olearia species and are leaf miners. This species pupates in a silk cocoon on the ground underneath its host plant. Adults are on the wing most months of year except for March and April. They have been observed flying during the day near their host plant. There are four or five generations per year. This species is regarded as being widely distributed and locally abundant.

<i>Stigmella hoheriae</i> Species of moth

Stigmella hoheriae is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. This day flying moth is found in New Zealand in both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest. Eggs are laid on the surface of a still growing leaf of a host plant. Larvae feed on Hoheria species such as Hoheria glabrata, Hoheria populnea, Hoheria sexstylosa and Hoheria angustifolia and have been recorded from February to August. The larvae of S. hoheriae are leaf miners. Their mines create blotches on the host plant leaves. S. hoheriae larvae pupate in a silk cocoon on the ground at the base of their food plant. Adult moths have been observed on the wing in February and from July to December. This species is rarely noticed as it is very small and as a result does not tend to attract attention when on the wing.

<i>Stigmella insignis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Stigmella insignis is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Hawkes Bay as well as in the north west of the South Island. S. insignis inhabits montane to subalpine grasslands. The larvae of S. insignis are leaf miners. They likely feed on Celmisia spectabilis. Adults of this species have been observed on the wing in March, November and December.

<i>Stigmella kaimanua</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Stigmella kaimanua is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. S. kaimanua inhabits lowland and lower montane forest. The larvae mine the leaves of Parsonsia heterophylla. The mine is linear and continues down the stems for a short distance. Larvae have been observed April to August. The cocoon is probably attached to the leaf litter on the ground under the host plant. There is one generation per year. Adults are on the wing in November and December and are attracted to light.

Stigmella laqueorum is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only been found on Snares Islands / Tini Heke. The egg is laid on the underside leaf. Larvae are leaf miners. There may be up to 20 mines per leaf. Larvae are present in all months. The cocoon is attached to fallen large debris or trunk bases. Adults have been recorded on the wing from late November to February. They are diurnal, flying only in the morning. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Stigmella propalaea is a species of moth in the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Asterivora combinatana</i> Species of moth

Asterivora combinatana is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed at locations in both the North and South Islands. The larvae feed on Senecio bellidioides and Brachyglottis repanda either from within a silken gallery or alternatively a silken curtain under which they feed. It is double brooded with adults being on the wing from September until November and again from February until April. This species is a day flying moth. It is extremely variable both in colouration and in size. The female tends to be larger and paler than the male of the species.

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

Isonomeutis amauropa is a species of moth in the Copromorphidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand where it can be found on both the North and South Islands. I. amauropa inhabits native forest particularly forest dominated by Rimu and native beech trees. The larvae of this species consumes margarodid scale insects that live under the bark of these trees. When mature the larvae pupate in a cocoon made of silk and covered in twigs and frass. This cocoon is normally placed under the bark of the same tree the larvae inhabited. Adults of I. amauropa are on the wing from September to February.

<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.

References

  1. 1 2 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. 461. ISBN   9781877257933. OCLC   973607714.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Donner, Hans; Wilkinson, Christopher (1989-04-28). "Nepticulidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 16: 1–88.
  3. ↑ Erik J van Nieukerken; Camiel Doorenweerd; Robert J B Hoare; Donald R Davis (31 October 2016). "Revised classification and catalogue of global Nepticulidae and Opostegidae (Lepidoptera, Nepticuloidea)". ZooKeys . 628 (628): 65–246. doi: 10.3897/ZOOKEYS.628.9799 . ISSN   1313-2989. PMC   5126388 . PMID   27917038. Wikidata   Q28109648.
  4. 1 2 Meyrick, Edward (1916). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 48: 414–419 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1919). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 51: 349–354 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Morris N. Watt (1921). "The Leaf-mining Insects of New Zealand: Part II". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 53: 207–212. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q122940161. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. 1 2 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 355.
  8. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 175. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  9. ↑ "Stigmella cypracma (Meyrick, 1916)". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  10. ↑ Hoare, Robert (2019-12-16). "Stigmella cypracma". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  11. ↑ "Stigmella cypracma (Meyrick, 1916)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Stigmella cypracma (Meyrick, 1916)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2011. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
  13. ↑ "Brachyglottis repanda". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
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