Australothis volatilis

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Australothis volatilis
Australothis volatilis female.jpg
Female
Australothis volatilis male.jpg
Male

Nationally Critical (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Hexapoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Genus:
Australothis
Species:
A. volatilis
Binomial name
Australothis volatilis
Matthews & Patrick, 1998

Australothis volatilis, also known as the fuzzweed moth, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy[]

This species was discovered by in Central Otago in 1989.[2] It was first described by him and his colleague M. Matthews in 1998.[3]

Distribution[]

A. volatilis is endemic to New Zealand.[4] It has been found in only six sites in Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin.[5]

Host plants[]

White Fuzzweed Vittadinia australis

The larvae of this species feed on Vittadinia species.[6] The natural host of A. volatilis appears to be the white fuzzweed herb . This plant is also endemic to New Zealand and is itself in need of conservation.[5] The caterpillars of A. volatilis feed on the flowerheads, leaves and developing seeds of the plant.[5] Larvae have also been seen feeding on the exotic species but it is unknown whether this plant provides the necessary nutrients to the larvae to ensure their successful maturation.[5]

Conservation status[]

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Nationally Critical.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: 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). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 5. ISBN 9781988514383.
  2. ^ Hoare, R. J. B. (22 June 2017). "Noctuinae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) part 1: Austramathes, Cosmodes, Proteuxoa, Physetica" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 73: 13. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.73 – via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
  3. ^ Matthews, M.; Patrick, B. (1998-02-01). "A new diurnal species of Heliothinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) endemic to New Zealand". Journal of Natural History. 32 (2): 263–271. doi:10.1080/00222939800770131. ISSN 0022-2933.(Subscription required.)
  4. ^ 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. 461. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Fuzzweed Moth" (PDF). www.endangeredspecies.org.nz. Endangered Species Foundation. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  6. ^ Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. "Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera" (PDF). Science for Conservation. Department of Conservation. 136: 1–33. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2017-05-13.


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