Thambotricha | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Epermeniidae |
Genus: | Thambotricha Meyrick, 1922 [1] |
Species: | T. vates |
Binomial name | |
Thambotricha vates Meyrick, 1922 [2] | |
Thambotricha is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Epermeniidae. Its sole known species, Thambotricha vates, is also known by the vernacular name wonder-haired prophet. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
T. vates was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1922 from a specimen collected in Wellington in March by Charles Edwin Clarke. [3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated the species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. [4] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [5] The vernacular name of this species, "wonder-haired prophet", comes from a translation of its Latin name. [6] The name is as a result of the male having very long hairs on its antenna. [6] The male holotype specimen of T. vates is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [5]
Meyrick described the genus as follows:
Head with appressed seales; ocelli posterior; tongue developed. Antenne 5⁄6 in ♂ slender, joints elongate, with spreading whorls of extremely long fine ciliations, basal joint moderate, rather stout, with rather small pecten. Labial palpi long, recurved, second joint thickened with scales forming a very short apical tuft beneath, terminal joint somewhat shorter than second, rather thickened with scales, pointed. Maxillary palpi very short, drooping, filiform. Posterior tibiae with series of rough projecting bristly scales above. Fore wings with 1b fureate, 2 from 5⁄6, 7 to termen, 11 from middle. Hind wings 4, elongate-trapezoidal, cilia 13; 2 remote, 3 and 4 approximated at base, 5-7 somewhat approximated towards base. [3]
Meyrick described the species as follows:
♂︎ 14mm. Head pale ochreous, side-tufts bronzv. Palpi bronzy-fuscous. Antennal ciliations 8. Thorax purple-bronzy-ochreous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous. Fore wings elongate, narrowed towards base, costa sinuate, apex pointed, termen faintly sinuate, oblique; pale yellow overlaid with purple-bronzy-ochreous, costal edge pale yellow from 2⁄5 to 4⁄5; discal stigmata remote, rather dark fuscous, an additional dot beneath and rather before second, these two partially surrounded with pale yellowish; a slender terminal streak of purple-fuscous suffusion; cilia whitish-yellowish, on costa suffused purple-ochreous, darkest above apex, on dorsum pale ochreous tinged purple, cilia extending to before middle of dorsum. Hind wings and cilia ochreous-whitish. [3]
This species is endemic to New Zealand. [2] [7] Along with its type locality of Gollan's Valley in Wellington, [4] this moth has also been collected at the Waipoua State Forest in Northland, [8] in the Hakarimata Range near Ngāruawāhia in the Waikato, [8] in Taranaki, [9] at Katikati in the Bay of Plenty, [6] and near Aorere River in Nelson. [4]
Little is known of the biology of this species. [6] [10] T. vates are on the wing in March. [3] This species appears not to attracted to light and has been caught by sweeping during daytime. [6] [8] Males of the species have been however been collected at night with the use of a pressure lamp. [8]
The host species of the larvae of this moth is unknown. [6] [10] This species prefers native forest habitat. [6]
This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [11]
Pasiphila plinthina is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is on the wing mainly from June until September with occasional observations up to December, and is attracted to light. This species is similar in appearance to P. sandycias but can be distinguished from it as P. plinthina has palpi that are longer and has more blurred forewing markings.
Schiffermuelleria orthophanes is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.
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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.
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Antiscopa acompa is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1884. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found both the North and South Islands. The species inhabits native forest and adult moths are attracted to light.
Antiscopa elaphra is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. Adults of this species are on the wing from August until March and are attracted to light. In 2020 this species had its DNA barcode sequenced.
Eudonia alopecias is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1901. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found at Aoraki / Mount Cook in February.
Kiwaia hippeis is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1901. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Christchurch. Adults of this species are on the wing in December and are attracted to light.
Tinea belonota is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as not threatened by the Department of Conservation.
Hierodoris stella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and occurs in Auckland, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Wellington. As at 2005 the larvae of this species is unknown as is its host plant. The adult moth frequents forest and are on the wing in January and February. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.
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.
Tingena aletis is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the vicinity of Arthur's Pass in the South Island. Adults are on the wing in January.
Tingena chloradelpha is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North and South Islands. The larvae live underground forming silken tubes from which it feeds. It overwinters in these tubes and then pupates enclosed in a weak pale white silken cocoon. The adults of this species is variable in appearance both in the depth of colour as well as in its discal spots which may in some specimens be lacking. The adults are on the wing from October until the end of December and can be found inhabiting domestic gardens as well as cultivated land. They have been seen resting on window frames and can be found inside houses.
Tingena falsiloqua is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the North Island. This species frequents subalpine native forest.
Tingena melanamma is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Marlborough, Otago and Southland.
Atomotricha chloronota is a moth in the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the eastern side of the South Island and at the Antipodes Islands. It inhabits clearings with native tussocks and ferns. The larvae feed on leaf litter from silk tunnels in soil. The male adults of this species are on the wing from July to September and have been trapped via sugar traps and are attracted to light. The female of this species is brachypterous.
Atomotricha oeconoma is a moth in the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed at Mount Taranaki, Wellington and in Dunedin. The adults emerge in June. The female adult is semi-apterous and is incapable of flight.
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Euchersadaula lathriopa is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1905. This species is endemic to New Zealand.