Eudonia aspidota

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eudonia aspidota
Eudonia aspidota female.jpg
Female
Eudonia aspidota male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Crambidae
Genus:
Eudonia
Species:
E. aspidota
Binomial name
Eudonia aspidota
(Meyrick, 1884)
Synonyms
  • Xeroscopa aspidota Meyrick, 1884
  • Scoparia aspidota (Meyrick, 1884)

Eudonia aspidota is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is found in New Zealand.

Taxonomy[]

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1884 and named Xeroscopa aspidota.[1][2] Meyrick added further detail when he described the species later in 1884.[3] In 1913 Meyrick placed the species within the genus Scoparia.[4]

Description[]

The wingspan is 22–26 mm. The forewings are light ochreous, sometimes mixed with reddish-ochreous. There is a black white-margined triangular spot on the costa. The hindwings are pale grey with a darker grey post medial and hind marginal line.[3]

Although the wing markings of this species attract attention, they also imitate bird droppings.[5] This mimicry offers protection to E. aspidota when it is not in flight.

Distribution[]

E. aspidota is endemic in New Zealand.[6] Meyrick stated it could be found in Wellington, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin and Lake Wakatipu.[3] George Hudson added to the localities where E. aspidota could be found and included Raurimu, Waimarino, Buller River, Invercargill and Stewart Island.[5] Hudson was of the opinion that the species was probably distributed throughout New Zealand.[5]

Ecology and habitat[]

The habitat of this species is amongst forest.[5]

Host plants

The larvae of this species lives on mosses.[7]

Occurrence[]

Adults of E. aspidota are normally present during December and January.[3] This species is attracted to light.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ Meyrick, Edward (1884). "Descriptions of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. IV. Scopariadae". New Zealand Journal of Science. 2: 235–237 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  2. ^ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 458. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
  3. ^ a b c d Meyrick, E. (1884). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 17: 68–149 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. ^ Meyrick, E. (1913). "A revision of New Zealand Pyralidina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 45: 30–51 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. ^ a b c d e Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. pp. 201–202.
  6. ^ "Eudonia aspidota (Meyrick, 1884)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  7. ^ Patrick, Hamish J.H.; Bowie, Mike H.; Fox, Barry W.; Patrick, Brian H. (2011). "The moths of Quail Island (Ōtamahua): a faunal comparison of an island under restoration with other sites on Banks Peninsula" (PDF). New Zealand Natural Sciences. 36: 57–72.


This Scopariinae-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

  • v
  • t
Retrieved from ""