Hierodoris squamea
| Hierodoris squamea | |
|---|---|
| |
| Holotype of the synonymised species Gymnobathra nigra. | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Oecophoridae |
| Genus: | Hierodoris |
| Species: | H. squamea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hierodoris squamea | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Hierodoris squamea is a moth of the family Oecophoridae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the mountains of Fiordland as well as the Olivine Range in south Westland. This species has a wingspan of between 12 and 13 mm and can be distinguished from similar species as it is very small in size, has a reduced eyespot on its forewings, clearly visible through Scanning Electron Microscope preparations, and has orange-yellow scales overlaying its dark forewing. It prefers open country of tussock grasslands and herbfields at high altitudes. As at 2005 the larvae are unknown. Adults are on the wing in January.
Taxonomy[edit]
This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1915 and named Gymnobathra squamea.[2] Both George Hudson and J. S. Dugdale discussed this species under this name.[3][4] Hudson synonymised Gymnobathra nigra with G. squamea in 1939 stating that the holotype for G. nigra was a worn specimen of G. squamea.[5] In 2005 Robert Hoare placed this species within the genus Hierodoris.[1] The male holotype specimen, collected at Cleughearn at 3500 feet by Philpott, is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[1]
Description[edit]
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Philpott described this species as follows:
♂. 12 mm. Head dark fuscous with a few yellow scales. Palpi bright yellow, fuscous beneath. Antennae fuscous. Thorax dark fuscous mixed with yellow. Abdomen fuscous broadly annulated with grey. Forewings moderate, costa moderately arched, apex obtuse, termen almost straight, somewhat oblique; bright golden-yellow irrorated and suffused, especially near base, with fuscous: cilia dark fuscous. Hindwings dark fuscous: cilia grey-whitish with fuscous basal line.[2]
This species has a wingspan of between 12 and 13 mm and can be distinguished from similar species as it is very small in size, has a reduced eyespot on its forewings, clearly visible through Scanning Electron Microscope preparations, and has orange-yellow scales overlaying its dark forewing.[1] As at 2005 the larvae are unknown.[1]
Distribution[edit]
This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the mountains of Fiordland as well as the Olivine Range in south Westland.[1][6]
Behaviour[edit]
This species is on the wing in January.[3]
Habitat and hosts[edit]
This species prefers open country of tussock grasslands and herbfields at high altitudes.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Robert J. B. Hoare (24 December 2005). "Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 54. Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research: 37–38. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.54. ISSN 0111-5383. OCLC 946510444. Wikidata Q44994400. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b Alfred Philpott (12 July 1915). "Descriptions of new species of Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 47: 200. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q66084596.
- ^ a b c George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 277, LCCN 88133764, OCLC 25449322, Wikidata Q58593286
- ^ John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 93. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
- ^ George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 447, OCLC 9742724, Wikidata Q109420935
- ^ "Hierodoris squamea (Philpott, 1915)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2021-11-14.