Dasyuris octans

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

Dasyuris octans
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Tribe:
Larentiinae
Genus:
Dasyuris
Species:
D. octans
Binomial name
Dasyuris octans
Hudson, 1923

Taxonomy

This species was first described by George Hudson in 1923 using a specimen discovered by Stewart Lindsay in the Hunter Mountains near Lake Manapouri at 4000 ft.[1][2] Hudson described and illustrated the species in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[3] The lectotype is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[1]

Description

Hudson described the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is slightly under 1 inch. All the wings are extremely pale orange-ochreous with black markings. The fore-wings have the apex rather rounded and the termen somewhat bowed outwards; there is a small white basal patch speckled with black; beyond this are two dentate transverse lines abruptly bent inwards below costa; between this and the median band there is a broad band of the ground-colour; the median band is narrow with marked constrictions below costa and above dorsum, these constrictions being deepest on the outer edge of the band; the black lines forming the median band are very indefinite strongly dentate, the centre of the band is heavily sprinkled with white scales; the terminal area is broadly suffused with black ; broadest towards apex; there are many white scales interspersed with the black and traces of a wavy whitish subterminal line; a terminal series of black marks. All the cilia are cream-coloured barred with black. The hind-wings have an oblique blackish basal patch speckled with white; two wavy blackish transverse bands on the median area; a very broad black terminal band, partially transversed by a fine wavy subterminal line. The head, thorax, and abdomen are black, thickly speckled with white scales.[2]

This species can be mistaken for Dasyuris hectori but can be distinguished from that species as D. octans is smaller, much narrower and has a more orange-ocherous tint.[3]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[4][5] Along with the type locality,[6] this species has been collected at Homer,[7] as well as at the Rahine Range, Kaikoura Ranges, Jack's Pass in Hanmer, Porters Pass, Mount Cook, Macetown, Vanguard Peak and Advance Peak in Otago, Kepler Mountains and Eglinton Valley at Milford Sound.[8]

Biology and life cycle

This species is on the wing in December.[3] It is a day flying moth.[9]

Host plant and habitat

Charles E. Clarke notes he captured specimens flying over lichen covered rocks in native grass and herb habitat.[9]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon".[10]

References
  1. Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 178. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  2. Hudson, G. V. (1923). "Descriptions of three new species of Lepidoptera from New Zealand". Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. 59: 179–181.
  3. Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 128. OCLC 25449322.
  4. "Dasyuris octans Hudson, 1923". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  5. 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. 459. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
  6. Clarke, Charles E. (1933). "The Lepidoptera of the Te Anau-Manapouri Lakes Districts". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 63: 112–132.
  7. Howes, W. George (1946). "Lepidoptera Collecting at the Homer, with Descriptions of New Species". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 76: 139–147.
  8. Hudson, G.V. (1939). "A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand". www.bugz.org.nz. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  9. Clarke, Charles E. (1934). "Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 64: 11–16.
  10. 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. 8. ISBN 9781988514383.
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