Wiseana copularis

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Wiseana copularis
Wiseana copularis female.jpg
Female specimen
Wiseana copularis male.jpg
Male specimen
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hepialidae
Genus: Wiseana
Species:
W. copularis
Binomial name
Wiseana copularis
(Meyrick, 1912) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Porina copularisMeyrick, 1912

Wiseana copularis is a species of moth belonging to the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is one of several very similar looking species within the genus Wiseana and this group are collectively referred to as "Porina" moths. In its larvae form this species consumes pasture grasses and, if numerous, is regarded as a pest by New Zealand farmers reliant on good quality pasture for their stock.

Contents

Taxonomy

W. copularis was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1912 under the name Porina copularis. [3] [4] Meyrick used material collected by Alfred Philpott from the West Plains district of Invercargill. [4] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under this name in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. [5] Pierre Viette placed this species within the genus Wiseana in 1961. [1] The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2]

John S. Dugdale noted that the name despecta was misapplied by L. J. Dumbleton to this species in his 1966 publication Genitalia, classification and zoogeography of the New Zealand Hepialidae (Lepidoptera). [2] [6] This error was perpetuated in subsequent agricultural literature. [2]

Description

The wingspan is 34–40 mm for males and 43–52 mm for females. The colour of the forewings varies from dark to pale brown. The hindwings are pallid to infuscate. [7] W. copularis has variable wing patternation and is visually very similar to four other species within the genus Wiseana. [8] [9] It is possible to distinguish the male of W. copularis by the long rectangular antennal pectinations of the adult moth. [7] However the recommended technique to distinguish specimens down to species level is through microscopic examination of the genitalia of the species or alternatively mitochondrial DNA analysis. [8] [9]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [3] [10] It is common in the Wairarapa and Wellington districts as well as throughout the South Island. [8]

Biology and behaviour

W. copularis is on the wing from October to April. [8] They take flight just before dusk onwards and are attracted to light. [8] They only live for a few days. [11] Female moths have been observed fanning their wings just prior to copulation with a male. [12] Evidence suggests that the female moths release a sex pheromone to attract male moths prior to copulation. [12] After mating females lay between 500 - 2300 eggs in grass. [11] After 3 to 5 weeks the eggs hatch and the young larvae feed on leaf litter. [11] [8] As they mature, at an age of between 4 and 15 weeks old, the larvae create a vertical tunnel in the soil from which they emerge at night to eat grass species surrounding their tunnel. [11] [8] The tunnel entrance is concealed by silk and plant detritus. [8] At approximately 38 weeks they reach maturity having grown to a length of up to 7 cm. [11] The moth then enters the pupa stage of their life cycle which lasts approximately a month. [11] The moth pupates in their tunnel. [8]

Field collected larvae of this species have been successfully reared in the laboratory for research purposes. [13] During that study it was found that the survival to adulthood of the larvae was greatest at a temperature of 15 Celsius. [13] Eggs and immature larvae are vulnerable to dry weather and trampling by stock. [11] Once in their tunnel, they are relatively protected from dry conditions. [11] Larvae have also been shown to be at risk from bacterial infection. [14] Research has been undertaken on the possibility of exploiting this susceptibility to ensure biological control of larvae inhabiting farmland pasture. [14]

Habitat and host species

A host plant for W. copularis - Lolium perenne Lolium perenne plant2 (7185124265).jpg
A host plant for W. copularis - Lolium perenne

W. copularis prefer moist sites in shrub and grasslands. [8] Host species for the moth larvae include Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens . [15]

Interaction with humans

The larvae of this species have been implicated in pasture damage. [8] [11] Farmers use an insect growth regulator such as Diflubenzuron where they believe moth larvae infestation may cause significant damage to their pasture. [11] The interactions of this species with the Māori food crop kūmara has also been investigated, indicating that this species may have fed on kūmara in traditional kūmara gardens. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hepialidae</span> Family of moths

The Hepialidae are a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. Moths of this family are often referred to as swift moths or ghost moths.

<i>Heloxycanus</i> Genus of moths

Heloxycanus patricki, also known as the sphagnum porina moth, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae, the ghost moths. It is the only member of the genus Heloxycanus. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as having the status of "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Sabatinca chrysargyra</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Sabatinca chrysargyra is a species of moth belonging to the family Micropterigidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1886 and is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found from Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere south but only on the western side of the South Island. Adults are on the wing from the beginning of October until the middle of January. Larvae likely feed on foliose liverworts and have been found on species in the genus Plagiochila. The adult moths live in a range of habitats preferring sunny open spaces in forests or snow-tussock grasslands that can range in altitude from near sea level up to 1,230 m. This species is very similar in appearance to Sabatinca aemula and dissection of genitalia is required to distinguish between the two species.

<i>Izatha hudsoni</i> Species of moth

Izatha hudsoni is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is widespread throughout the North Island.

<i>Batrachedra tristicta</i> Moth species in family Batrachedridae

Batrachedra tristicta is a species of moth in the family Batrachedridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in both the North and South Islands. The larvae feel on the flowers and seed heads of rushes in the genus Juncus. The adults of this species are on the wing in March.

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

Heterocrossa exochana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. The larvae of this species feed on the fruits of Muehlenbeckia species. The adult is on the wing from September until May and are attracted to light.

<i>Circoxena ditrocha</i> Species of moth

Circoxena ditrocha is a species of moth in the family Blastodacnidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected on both the North and South Islands. The habitat of this species is on the edges of native forest or scrub and it may be associated withPseudopanax arboreus. As at 2000 the host species of this moth is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larvae are seed borers. Adults are on the wing in December to March. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Planotortrix octo</i> Species of moth

Planotortrix octo is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is found in both the North and South islands.

<i>Aoraia enysii</i> Species of moth

Aoraia enysii, also known as the forest ghost moth is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This is the only species of the genus Aoraia that can be found in the North as well as the South Island. This species can be found from Mount Te Aroha southwards. This species was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877 from a specimen obtained in the North Island by J. D. Enys.

<i>Aoraia senex</i> Species of moth

Aoraia senex is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the South Island. This species was first described by George Vernon Hudson in 1908 from specimens discovered by J. H. Lewis in Central Otago.

<i>Dioxycanus fusca</i> Species of moth

Dioxycanus fusca is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1914 as Porina fusca using specimens collected by C. Fenwick and M. O. Pasco. In 1966 L. J. Dumbleton reviewed New Zealand Hepialinae and placed this species within the genus Dioxycanus, giving it the new combination Dioxycanus fuscus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dumbletonius unimaculatus</span> Species of moth

Dumbletonius unimaculatus, also known as the forest ghost moth, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is host to the vegetable caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps robertsii.

<i>Wiseana cervinata</i> Species of moth

Wiseana cervinata, a porina moth, is a species of moth belonging to the family Hepialidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1865 and is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Wiseana umbraculata</i> Species of moth

Wiseana umbraculata, also known as the bog porina, is a species of moth belonging to the family Hepialidae. There are seven endemic species and three haplotypes of Wiseana in New Zealand including bog porina. It was regarded as being common in Whanganui in the early twentieth century.

Planotortrix avicenniae is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the North Island and its larvae feed on mangrove trees.

<i>Glaucocharis elaina</i> Species of moth

Glaucocharis elaina is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North and South Island with the exception of the extreme south of the South Island. The preferred habitat of this species is lowland native forest and as adults the species is attracted to broken ground including road or rail cuttings. Larvae feed on moss species including those in the genus Funaria. This species has two distinct broods during each year. Adults are on the wing from October to April, are nocturnal and are attracted to light.

<i>Eudonia sabulosella</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Eudonia sabulosella is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is regarded as being common. The larvae of this species are known to damage pasture in New Zealand.

<i>Bityla defigurata</i> Species of moth

Bityla defigurata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Lysiphragma epixyla</i> Species of moth

Lysiphragma epixyla is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888 using specimens collected from Wellington, Lake Wakatipu and Invercargill in December and January. Meyrick notes that this moth can usually be found at rest on tree trunks. This species is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Notoreas isoleuca</i> Species of moth

Notoreas isoleuca is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

References

  1. 1 2 Nielsen, Ebbe S.; Robinson, Gaden S.; Wagner, David L. (June 2000). "Ghost-moths of the world: a global inventory and bibliography of the Exoporia (Mnesarchaeoidea and Hepialoidea) (Lepidoptera)" (PDF). Journal of Natural History. 34 (6): 823–878. doi:10.1080/002229300299282. S2CID   86004391 . Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa (PDF). Vol. 14. pp. 1–269. ISBN   978-0477025188. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2018.{{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  3. 1 2 "Porina copularis Meyrick, 1912". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  4. 1 2 Meyrick, Edward (1912). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 44: 117–126 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. ↑ Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 363. OCLC   25449322.
  6. ↑ Dumbleton, L. J. (1966). "Genitalia, classification and zoogeography of the New Zealand Hepialidae (Lepidoptera)". New Zealand Journal of Science. 9 (4): 920–981.
  7. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (1994). Hepialidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) (PDF). Vol. 30. pp. 1–164. ISBN   978-0478045246. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2018-01-14– via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.{{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Ball, Olivier. Auckland: New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd. p. 17. ISBN   9781869663995. OCLC   891672034.
  9. 1 2 Brown, B.; Emberson, R. M.; Paterson, A. M. (April 1999). "Mitochondrial COI and II provide useful markers for Wiseana (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) species identification". Bulletin of Entomological Research. 89 (4): 287–293. doi:10.1017/S0007485399000437. hdl: 10182/363 . ISSN   1475-2670. S2CID   52102700.
  10. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 460. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Porina Wiseana spp. Identification, monitoring and management options". www.beeflambnz.com. December 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  12. 1 2 Allan, R. A.; Jimenez-Perez, A.; Wang, Q. (1999). "Preliminary evidence for a female sex pheromone in porina (Wiseana copularis)" (PDF). Proceedings of the New Zealand Plant Protection Conference. 52: 254–258. doi: 10.30843/nzpp.1999.52.11581 .
  13. 1 2 Allan, Rachel A.; Wang, Qiao; Jiménez-Pérez, Alfredo; Davis, Lorraine K. (17 March 2010). "Wiseana copularis larvae (Hepialidae: Lepidoptera): Laboratory rearing procedures and effect of temperature on survival". New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 45 (1): 71–75. doi:10.1080/00288233.2002.9513495. S2CID   86740297.
  14. 1 2 Brownbridge, M.; et al. (2008). "Potential for biological control of porina (Wiseana spp.) with a novel insecticidal bacterium, Yersinia sp.(MH96) EN65 strain". Proceedings of the NZ Plant Protection. 61: 229–235. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.919.4299 .
  15. ↑ "PlantSynz - Invertebrate herbivore biodiversity assessment tool: Database". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
  16. ↑ H. Ehau-Taumaunu; S. D. G. Marshall; C. M. Ferguson; M. Mark-Shadbolt; R. M. MacDiarmid; M. O’Callaghan (9 March 2020). "The feeding habits of Wiseana (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) species on a traditional Māori food crop". New Zealand Entomologist. 43 (1): 23–32. doi:10.1080/00779962.2020.1729934. ISSN   0077-9962. Wikidata   Q104800558.
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