Stigmella fulva

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Stigmella fulva
Fig 29 MA I437912 TePapa Plate-LI-The-butterflies full (cropped).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. fulva
Binomial name
Stigmella fulva
(Watt, 1921) [1]
Synonyms [1]
  • Nepticula fulvaWatt, 1921

Stigmella fulva is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. [2] 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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Morris Netterville Watt in 1921 using specimens collected in Dunedin and named Nepticula fulva. [3] George Hudson illustrated and discussed this species under this name in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [4] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Stigmella. [5] Hans Donner and Christopher Wilkinson agreed with this placement in their monograph on New Zealand Nepticulidae. [6] The syntypes are held at Te Papa. [6]

Description

The egg is relatively large, and when newly laid is bright blue in colour. Empty shells are white and filled with frass. In shape oval, wafer-like, domed above; a narrow flattened and somewhat ragged fringe surrounds the foot. The shell is strong, transparent, shiny, devoid of sculpture except for a slight roughening. Dimensions are—total length, 0.48 mm. ; width, 0.38 mm.; height, 0.12 mm. [3]

The larvae of this species are 4–5 mm long and pale yellow. [6] Length when full-grown, the length is about 5 mm. Ground-colour pale green ; central marking dark olive-green in its first half, darker in its caudal half. Head pale greyish-brown; darker reddish-brown sutural lines; almost acutely triangular in shape; retractile. [3]

The length of the forewings of the adult moth is 4–5 mm. Watt described the female of the species as follows:

Female, 8mm. Head and prothorax light yellowish-brown ; antennae under 1 and over 1⁄2 dark brown ; abdomen ash grey ; legs light- brownish. Thorax and forewings pale-whitish densely irrorated with darker brown scales ; a small irregular black spot in wing near dorsum at 1⁄4, another in centre a little beyond 1⁄4, a third in centre of wing near termen ; the central spot is the most constant. Cilia light brown, a brown cilial line found only in very perfect specimens ; the whole wing and cilia with bronzy reflections, seen only in some lights. Hindwings and cilia grey-brownish. In the male the brown scales in ‘the forewings are largely replaced by darker grey ones, and the central spots, though still present, are not so prominent. [3]

Adults have been recorded from January to March and from August to December. Reared specimens emerged in May and July. There are apparently continuous generations throughout the year. [6]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [7] [1] This species has been observed in the North Island around Mount Taranaki, in the South Island and at Stewart Island. [6]

Life cycle

S. fulva mine. Nepticula fulva mine transactionsproc53newz 0304 (cropped).jpg
S. fulva mine.

Eggs

The eggs are laid singly, but a considerable number may be deposited on one leaf. They are laid on the upper surface, but otherwise have no fixed locality, though the upper and outer two-thirds of the leaves appear to contain the majority of the mines. Some ova may be found laid on entirely dead portions of the leaf, over long-disused mines, and even sometimes upon or overlapping one another, when the larvae must perish. The egg is strongly attached to the surface of the leaf, and persists for a considerable time even after the mine has been vacated. The egg-capacity of the moth is not known. The period of incubation may be anything from seven days to a month, or longer, according to local climatic conditions. [3]

Larvae

The larvae mine the leaves of their host plant. The larva mines dorsum uppermost. [3] The mine starts as a very narrow gallery in the lower surface of the leaf, but soon expands into a blotch. The small starting point is often included in the blotch and only recognisable by purple discolouration in the leaf around egg site. [6] This purple colouration distinguishes the larvae from those of S. ogygia . [3] The mines are often difficult to see, owing to its position in the lower mesophyll layer of the leaf. [6] Larva have been recorded in all months except January, February and June. [6]

Cocoon

The cocoon is brown and spun in the ground amongst the leaf litter under its host plant. [6] [3] The colouration of the cocoon blends in with the detritus on the ground. [3] The pupal period varies according to climatic conditions. [3] Watt, when rearing these moths, noted that the pupal period ranged from 21 days to 79 days. [3] Before emergence the pupa is extruded from the cocoon as far as the fourth or fifth abdominal segment. [3]

Adults

The adults have been observed on the wing January until March and August to December. [6] They are active in the sun about their larval food plant. [3]

Host species

The larvae feed on Olearia species, including Olearia traversiorum , Olearia arborescens , Olearia ilicifolia , and Olearia macrodonta . [8] The species is most commonly found on Olearia arborescens . [3]

Related Research Articles

<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 salicis</i> Species of moth

Stigmella salicis is a moth of the family Nepticulidae which is found in Europe. It was first described by the English entomologist, Henry Stainton in 1854. The type locality is from England.

<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.

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

Stigmella aigialeia is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found on both the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species are leaf miners and are known to feed on the leaves of Plagianthus divaricatus. Larvae have been recorded as feeding in April, May and September. They pupate in leaf litter on the ground under their host plant. Adults of this have been observed on the wing in January, February, September and October, in coastal locations particularly in the preferred habitat of its host plant, that is salt marshes and sandbanks.

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

Stigmella cassiniae is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. The larvae are leaf miners of leaves and stems of Ozothamnus leptophyllus. When mature the larvae pupate amongst leaf litter on the ground. Adult moths have been recorded on the wing in January, February, April and October. It has been hypothesised that there are likely two generations in a year.

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

Stigmella childi is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. This species inhabits subalpine and alpine grassland and herbfields. The larvae of this species are leaf miners and feed on the leaves of Celmisia haastii. Adults have been observed on the wing in January.

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

Stigmella cypracma is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. 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.

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

Stigmella erysibodea is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species are leaf miners and feed on the leaves of Olearia ilicifolia and Olearia albida. Adults have been observed on the wing in November and February.

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 hamishella</i> Species of moth

Stigmella hamishella is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The larvae mine the leaves of Olearia moschata. The mine consists of blotches, mainly on the lower leaves. The preferred habitat of S. hamishella is the same as its host plant, montane to subalpine shrubland. Adults are on the wing in December.

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

Stigmella ilsea is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. 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 feed on Olearia virgata, Olearia rugosa, Olearia odorata, Olearia laxiflora, Olearia lineate and Olearia hectorii. The mine starts as very narrow gallery, but the full-grown larva occupies all space between the cuticles, leaving nothing but a small, empty bladder. Larvae have been recorded from February to May and in July and September. The cocoon is pale brown and is spun in detritus on the ground underneath the host plant. Adult moths have been recorded in January, October and November. Reared specimens emerged from July to September. There is likely one generation per year.

<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. The mine is narrow, serpentine, rather scribble-like and close to the upper epidermal layer, widening terminally. 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.

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

Stigmella lucida is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

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

Stigmella ogygia is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is found in New Zealand.

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

Stigmella oriastra is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is found in New Zealand.

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

Stigmella watti is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is found in New Zealand.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Stigmella fulva (Watt, 1921)". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Morris N. Watt (1921). "The Leaf-mining Insects of New Zealand: Part II". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 53: 215–219. ISSN   1176-6158. Wikidata   Q122940161.
  4. ↑ George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 356, LCCN   88133764, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  5. ↑ 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: 53. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Hans Donner; Christopher Wilkinson (28 April 1989). "Nepticulidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 16: 21. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.16. ISSN   0111-5383. OCLC   924829916. Wikidata   Q45079930. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 July 2021.
  7. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 461. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  8. ↑ "PlantSynz - Invertebrate herbivore biodiversity assessment tool: Database". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
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