Stigmella sophorae

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Stigmella sophorae
MA I437922 TePapa Plate-LXI-A-supplement full (cropped).jpg
Illustration of female
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nepticulidae
Genus: Stigmella
Species:
S. sophorae
Binomial name
Stigmella sophorae
(Hudson, 1939) [1]
Synonyms [1]
  • Nepticula sophoraeHudson, 1939

Stigmella sophorae is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. [2] This species was first described by George Hudson in 1939. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. Larvae are leaf miners and feed on Sophora tetraptera and Sophora microphylla. Larvae have been observed from April to August. Adults have been seen on the wing in February and from August to December. There is one generation per year.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by George Hudson in 1939 and named Nepticula sophorae. [3] In 1988 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Stigmella. [1] In 1989 Hans Donner and Christopher Wilkinson agreed with this placement in their monograph on New Zealand Nepticulidae. [4] This placement was again confirmed in a 2016 revision of the global species placed in the family Nepticulidae. [2] The holotype specimen, collected by Morris N. Watt on "Kowhai" in Christchurch, is held at Te Papa. [1]

Description

Mine of S. sophorae larva. Stigmella sophorae 23782404.jpg
Mine of S. sophorae larva.

Larvae are 2–3 mm long and are pale green. [4]

The cocoon is made of pale brown silk and attaches to the stem of the host plant. [4]

Hudson described the adults of this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is under 14 inch (5+12 mm.). The fore-wings are very pale whitish-ochreous, densely speckled with very small black dots; there is a black spot in the disc below and before middle and another at about 34; the cilia are pale whitishochreous. Hind-wings and cilia grey. [3]

Donner and Wilkinson described the adult male and female of the species as follows:

Head. Frontal tuft, scape, and collar cream; antenna grey, lustrous, reflecting silver, comprising 19-23 segments. Thorax creamish white. Forewing about 3 mm long, speckled white and brown, with 2 small black spots, one medial and one subterminal; each scale cream at base, pale brown at margin; fringe silvery white. Hindwing silvery grey; fringe long, concolorous. Abdomen pale grey. [4]

S. sophorae is a very small moth and can be distinguished from S. cassiniae as its forewings are much paler in colour. [4]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [5] [6] It has been observed in both the North and South Islands. [4]

Habitat and hosts

Leaves of the larval host Sophora microphylla. Sophora microphylla 436475593.jpg
Leaves of the larval host Sophora microphylla.

The larvae feed on Sophora tetraptera and Sophora microphylla . They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine begins with random squiggles and later fills all space between the layer protecting the outermost skin layer. There is one mine per leaf, but often adjacent leaves also have mines. The frass starts as a green shade, but gradually turns grey. Immature mines are paler green than the leaf they are found in. [4]

Behaviour

Larva have been recorded from April to August. Adults have been recorded in February and from August to December. There is one generation per year. [4]

Related Research Articles

<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.

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

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. It 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 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.

<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.

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

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 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. 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 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 laquaeorum 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.

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

Stigmella lucida, also known as the silver beech miner moth, is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. It was first described by Alfred Philpott. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. It's preferred habitat is native forest populated with its larval host species Nothofagus menziesii. Larvae of this species mine the leaves of its host plant. Adults are on the wing from September to January.

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

Stigmella maoriella, the pigmy leafminer moth, is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found from Auckland to the Hawke's Bay. Larvae are leaf miners of species in the genus Olearia. Adults have been observed on the wing in October. This species is classified as Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.

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

Stigmella ogygia is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits the margins of native forest where its larval plant host species are found. Eggs are laid singly on the upper side of the host plant leaf and the larva burrows directly through the bottom of the egg into the leaf-substance. The larvae mine the leaves of Senecio species including Senecio biserratus and Senecio minimus, as well as the leaves of Brachyglottis turneri. The larva emerges from its mine and pupates on the ground near of the larval host plant. Adults are day flying and have been recorded on the wing in March, July and from September to December. There are probably continuous generations throughout the year.

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

Stigmella oriastra is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island. The larva are leaf miners of Celmisia species, including Celmisia coriacea and Celmisia densiflora. They have been recorded in February, April and May. Adults are on the wing in January and from October to December. Adults run and takes rapid short flights. There is likely one generation per year.

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

Stigmella platina is a species of moth in the family Nepticulidae. It was first described by Hans Donner and Christopher Wilkinson in 1989. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands at Arthur's Pass and Kapuni Valley in Egmont National Park. The larvae are leaf miners and the likely larval host plant is Brachyglottis elaeagnifolia. Adults are on the wing in January and February.

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

Stigmella progonopis is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1921. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits montane to subalpine native forest and shrubland. Larvae are leaf miners and have been recorded from April to August. They feed on Dracophyllum traversii, Dracophyllum longifolium, Dracophyllum menziesii,Dracophyllum latifolium and Gaultheria crassa. Adults are on the wing in January and February and there is one generation per year.

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

Stigmella tricentra is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits the margins of native forest as well as lowland shrublands where its larval host can be found. Larvae are leaf miners and feed on Helichrysum lanceolatum. Adults are on the wing in the wild in March and October. It is likely that this species has two generations in a year.

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

Stigmella watti is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. This species was first described in 1989 by Hans Donner and Christopher Wilkinson. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Fiordland, Southland and on Stewart Island. The larvae feed on Olearia colensoi νar. grandis and possibly Olearia oporina by mining the leaves of those plants. Larvae have been observed in May while adults are on the wing in February. S. watti was named in honour of Morris N. Watt.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 54. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN   0111-5383. Wikidata   Q45083134.
  2. 1 2 Nieukerken, Erik van; Doorenweerd, Camiel; Hoare, Robert; Davis, Donald (2016-10-31). "Revised classification and catalogue of global Nepticulidae and Opostegidae (Lepidoptera, Nepticuloidea)". ZooKeys (628): 65–246. Bibcode:2016ZooK..628...65V. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.628.9799 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   5126388 . PMID   27917038.
  3. 1 2 George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 469, OCLC   9742724, Wikidata   Q109420935
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hans Donner; Christopher Wilkinson (28 April 1989). "Nepticulidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera)". Fauna of New Zealand. 16. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 34–35. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.16. ISSN   0111-5383. OCLC   924829916. Wikidata   Q45079930.
  5. 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.
  6. "Stigmella sophorae (Hudson, 1939)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 14 July 2018. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.