Xanthorhoe semifissata
| Xanthorhoe semifissata | |
|---|---|
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Xanthorhoe |
| Species: | X. semifissata
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| Binomial name | |
| Xanthorhoe semifissata (Walker, 1862)
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| Synonyms | |
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Xanthorhoe semifissata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is native to New Zealand.
Taxonomy[]
This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 and named Cohemia semifissata. In 1939 Louis Beethoven Prout placed this species in the genus Larentia.[1] In 1971 placed this species in the genus Helastia.[2] The genus Helastia was restricted by Craw in 1987 placing this species into
Description[]
A small to medium-sized moth with a wing span 25–35 mm.
Distribution and habitat[]
Is found in both the South and North Island of New Zealand.[3]
Has been collected occasionally in Riccarton Bush, Christchurch.[4]
- 1920–1945 Lindsay, Heighway and Tonnoir
- 1980–1988 Muir and Dugdale
The habitat/foodplant for this moth is herbaceous plants. Gaskin noted eggs are laid on watercress (Nasturtium officinale).[5] White [6] listed Cardamine and stream Nasturtium as known larval foods.
Life cycle[]
Eggs[]
Eggs are pale green and hemispherical in shape.[5]
Larva[]
The caterpillar is dark brown on its upper side and light brown below, When fully grown it is approximately 2.5 cm long.[5]
Adult[]
The adults have been collected in March, May, August and October in Riccarton Bush, Christchurch.[4] In montane grasslands at Cass, Arthurs Pass the moth was seen from November through to April.[6]
References[]
- ^ Prout, L. B. (1939). "Geometridae: Fauna Indo-Australica". The Macrolepidoptera of the World. 12: 264 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ J. S. Dugdale (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae" (PDF). Pacific Insects Monographs. 27: 55–172. ISSN 0078-7515. Wikidata Q64006453.
- ^ White, E G (2002). New Zealand Tussock Grassland Moths. Lincoln, New Zealand: Manaaki Whenua Press. p. 291.
- ^ a b Molloy, Brian (1995). Riccarton Bush: Putaringamotu. Christchurch: The Riccarton Bush Trust. p. 227.
- ^ a b c Gaskin, D E (1966). The Butterflies and Common Moths of New Zealand. Christchurch: Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. p. 134.
- ^ a b White, E G (1991). "The changing abundance of moths in a tussock grassland, 1962–1989, and 50- to 70- year trends". New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 15 (1): 5–22.
External links[]
Media related to Xanthorhoe semifissata at Wikimedia Commons
- Xanthorhoe
- Moths of New Zealand
- Moths described in 1862
- Endemic fauna of New Zealand
- Taxa named by Francis Walker
- Xanthorhoini stubs