Austrocidaria prionota
| Austrocidaria prionota | |
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| Male | |
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| Female | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Austrocidaria |
| Species: | A. prionota
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| Binomial name | |
| Austrocidaria prionota | |
| Synonyms | |
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Austrocidaria prionota is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the South Island and regarded as being uncommon.
Taxonomy
[edit]This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 using specimens collected at Castle Hill and Dunedin, and given the name Arsinoe prionota.[2] Meyrick described the species in more detail in 1884.[3] In 1886 Meyrick recognised that the genus name he had used for this species had been used previously and renamed the species with the genus Anachloris.[4] In 1917 Meyrick synonymised Anachloris with Hydriomena.[5] George Hudson described and illustrated the species both in his 1898 book New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) and in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand using the name Hydriomena prionota.[6][7] In 1971 J. S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Austrocidaria.[8] Dugdale suggested that A. prionota may actually be the same species as Austrocidaria lithurgia.[8]
The lectotype specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum.[9]
Description
[edit]Hudson described the species as follows:
The expansion of the wings is rather under 1+1⁄2 inches. The forewings are dull yellowish-brown, with many obscure, wavy, transverse, brown lines, which tend to form two ill-defined bands, one rather narrow near the base and the other much broader near the middle of the wing. The hind-wings are very pale yellowish-brown; there are a few obscure dark lines near the dorsum. The veins are distinctly dotted in black, and the outline of all the wings is deeply scalloped.[6]
A. prionota is likely variable in appearance.[3][7] This species has been confused with Austrocidaria cedrinodes as the two species are similar in appearance. However they can be easily distinguished from each other as A. prionota has a complete lack of antennal pectinations.[7]
Distribution
[edit]This species is endemic to New Zealand,[1][10] and occurs in the South Island. It has been collected at Gouland Downs in the Kahurangi National Park, as well as at Castle Hill in Christchurch and in Dunedin.[7] It is regarded as not common and difficulty has been had sourcing specimens good enough for the addition of this species into a photographic database.[11]
Biology and behaviour
[edit]The larvae of A. prionota have been recorded feeding on Myrsine divaricata as well as on species of Coprosma.[9][12] This species is on wing in January and October.[6][12] The adult moth is regarded as being a medium flyer with the ability to remain active in light breezes.[12] Adult moths are attracted to light and have been collected via Robinson light trapping.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom Animalia: Chaetognatha, Ecdysozoa, Ichnofossils. Vol. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 459. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
- ^ Meyrick, Edward (1883). "Monograph of New Zealand Geometrina [abstract]". New Zealand Journal of Science. 1: 526–531 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ a b Meyrick, Edward (May 1884). "A monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 16: 49–113 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Meyrick, Edward (May 1886). "Notes on Nomenclature of New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 18: 184 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Meyrick, Edward (1917). "Revision of New Zealand Notodontina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 49: 248–273 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ a b c Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & Co. p. 47. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.32466 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ a b c d Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 102.
- ^ a b Dugdale, J. S. (1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae". Pacific Insects Monographs. 27: 55–172 – via BUGZ.
- ^ a b Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 176. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
- ^ "Austrocidaria prionota (Meyrick, 1883)". New Zealand Organisms Register. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
- ^ Hoare, R.J.B.; Rhode, B.E.; Emmerson, A.W. (2011). "Larger moths of New Zealand: Image gallery and online guide". Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. Archived from the original on 2013-02-18. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
- ^ a b c d White, E. G. (1991). "The changing abundance of Moths in a Tussock grassland, 1962-1989, and 50- to 70-year trends" (PDF). New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 15: 5–22.
External links
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