Austrocidaria prionota

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 is regarded as being uncommon.

Austrocidaria prionota
Male
Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Tribe:
Xanthorhoini
Genus:
Austrocidaria
Species:
A. prionota
Binomial name
Austrocidaria prionota
(Meyrick, 1883)[1]
Synonyms
  • Arsinoe prionota Meyrick, 1883
  • Anachloris prionota (Meyrick, 1883)
  • Euphyia prionota (Meyrick, 1883)
  • Hydriomena prionota (Meyrick, 1883)

Taxonomy

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 genus in which he placed this species as 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

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

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][10] This species occurs in the South Island and 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

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] An adult moth is attracted to light and has been collected via Robinson light trapping.[12]

References
  1. Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom Animalia: Chaetognatha, Ecdysozoa, Ichnofossils. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 459. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
  2. Meyrick, Edward (1883). "Monograph of New Zealand Geometrina [abstract]". New Zealand Journal of Science. 1: 526–531 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Meyrick, Edward (1917). "Revision of New Zealand Notodontina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 49: 248–273 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. 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.
  7. Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 102.
  8. 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.
  9. Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 176. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  10. "Austrocidaria prionota (Meyrick, 1883)". New Zealand Organisms Register. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  11. 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. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  12. 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.
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