Hierodoris extensilis

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Hierodoris extensilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Oecophoridae
Genus:
Hierodoris
Species:
H. extensilis
Binomial name
Hierodoris extensilis
, 2012[1]

Hierodoris extensilis is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy[]

This species was first described by in 2012 and named Heliostibes extensilis.[1][2] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[2]

Description[]

The wingspan of the male H. extensilis moth is 13–15.5 mm and the female is 12–17.5 mm.[2] This species is visually similar to its close relatives , H. polita and .[2] H. extensilis can be distinguished from both H. frigida and H. polita as it has a whitish hind-wing base.[2] It has a white-scaled surface to its exterior labial palpi and does not have the transverse white forewing fascia of H. polita.[2] H. extensilis can be distinguished from H. gerontion as H. extensilis has shining leaden scales on its forewings, a dark fringe but does not have the curved white subbasal fascia of H. gerontion.[2]

The female of this species has an extremely long telescopic ovipositor.[2] It has been hypothesised that this feature enables the females to lay eggs beneath the surface of the sand close to host plant roots.[2]

Distribution[]

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1] It is only found in Fiordland where it has been collected from Mount Titiroa and Mount Burns.[2]

Biology and behaviour[]

H. extensilis has been collected in early February.[2]

Habitat and host plants[]

This species occurs in granite sand plains and gravel field habitat.[3][4] The host plant of the larvae of this species is unknown.[2]

Conservation Status[]

H. extensilis has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Hierodoris extensilis Hoare, 2012". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l Hoare, R. J. B. (March 2012). "A new species of Hierodoris Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) with a telescopic ovipositor, from granite sand plains in Fiordland". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (1): 51–57. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.651776. S2CID 86515751.(subscription required)
  3. ^ Hoare, R. J. B.; Millar, I. R.; Richardson, S. J. (22 April 2016). "The insect fauna of granite sand plains: a naturally rare ecosystem in New Zealand". New Zealand Entomologist. 39 (1): 1–14. doi:10.1080/00779962.2015.1108159. S2CID 87600286.(subscription required)
  4. ^ "Granitic gravel fields". Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
  5. ^ 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.


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