Hydriomena iolanthe
| Hydriomena iolanthe | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
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| Illustration of female by George Hudson | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Hydriomena |
| Species: | H. iolanthe
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| Binomial name | |
| Hydriomena iolanthe Hudson, 1939
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| Synonyms | |
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Hydriomena iolanthe is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is indigenous to New Zealand. This species is based on a single specimen that is now lost and has not been matched to any known species. As such it is classified as data deficient by the Department of Conservation.
Taxonomy[edit]
This species was first described by George Hudson in 1939 using a female specimen collected at Lake Harris by F. S. Oliver in January 1918.[2][3] Due to the single specimen being damaged and lacking antennae, Hudson was uncertain of the generic position of the species.[2] He therefore named the species Hydriomena (or Xanthorhoe) iolanthe.[2] The illustration is labelled Hydriomena? iolanthe.[2] The classification of New Zealand endemic moths within the genus Hydriomena is regarded as unsatisfactory and in need of revision.[4] As such this species is currently also known as Hydriomena (s.l.) iolanthe.[5][4] This species may prove synonymous as the hototype specimen has been lost and it is possible it is a European species that was mislabelled.[6][7] It was listed in the New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity as nomen dubium.[5]
Description[edit]
Hudson described the species as follows:[2]
The expansion of the wings is 7⁄8 inch (22 mm.). The forewings have the apex rather obtuse and the termen slightly oblique; there is a deep reddish-brown basal patch followed by a rather indistinct pale transverse line; the subbasal area is orange-brown, followed by a narrow whitish-ochreous band from 1⁄4 of costa to 1⁄3 of dorsum; this band is abruptly bent outwards just below costa and contains a fine blackish line; the median band is dull red, slightly purplish tinged; it contains a small black discal dot and two fine wavy blackish lines enclosing an irregular central area; the outer edge of the median band is finely waved, with slight irregular projections below costa, and a more evident rounded projection in disc; the dorsal third of the median band is much narrower; beyond the median band the ground colour of the wing is pale brownish-ochreous; there are two fine wavy blackish lines immediately outside the median band; a conspicuous yellowish-brown patch on the costa before apex and a blackish-brown patch below this; a very wavy paler subterminal line and a series of minute terminal marks. The hind-wings are dull whitish-ochreous, with numerous pale brownish-ochreous transverse lines and terminal band, some of the lines become blackish towards dorsum; there is a series of minute terminal dots; the cilia of all the wings are dull brownish-ochreous.[2]
Distribution[edit]
This species is indigenous to New Zealand.[3] This species is found on the Otago Lakes Fiordland border.[8] It is only known from the type locality of Lake Harris on the Routeburn Track.[8]
Biology and behaviour[edit]
This species is on the wing in January.[2]
Host species[edit]
It has been hypothesised that the host of the larvae of H. iolanthe is possibly a species of Coprosma.[8] The reasoning behind this hypothesis is that the illustration of the species resembles an Austrocidaria and Coprosma plants are the host for species in that genus.[8]
Conservation status[edit]
This species has been classified as having the data deficient conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[1] Hudson's description was based on a single specimen which is now lost.[8][5] The illustration by Hudson has not been matched to any known endemic or adventive species.[8][5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). "Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 8.
- ^ a b c d e f g Hudson, G. V. (1939). A Supplement to the Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 407. OCLC 221041540. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Hydriomena iolanthe Hudson, 1939". New Zealand Organisms Register. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ a b Hoare, R. J. B.; Rhode, B. E.; Emmerson, A. W. (2012). "Larger moths of New Zealand: Image gallery and online guide. Notes on families and subfamilies of larger moths included in this guide". Landcare Research. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ Dugdale, J.S. (1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae" (PDF). Pacific Insects Monograph. 27: 55–172.
- ^ "NZTCS Lepidoptera Spreadsheet". www.doc.govt.nz. 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Patrick, B. H.; Dugdale, J. S. (2000). "Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera" (PDF). Science for Conservation. 136: 25. ISBN 0478218672. ISSN 1173-2946. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2018-06-01 – via Department of Conservation.