Gymnobathra rufopunctella

Gymnobathra rufopunctella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is in need of taxonomic revision and probably belongs to a separate genus. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation.

Gymnobathra rufopunctella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Oecophoridae
Genus:
Gymnobathra
Species:
G. rufopunctella
Binomial name
Gymnobathra rufopunctella
Hudson, 1950

Taxonomy

This species was first described and illustrated by George Hudson in 1950 using specimens collected by Hudson at Days Bay and Wilton's Bush in Wellington.[1][2] The lectotype is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa.[1] The genus level classification of this species is regarded as unsatisfactory.[3] It is believed that this species closely resembles some members of the Barea group of genera.[3] As a result the species is currently also known as Gymnobathra (s.l.) rufopunctella.

Description

Hudson described this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about ​1⁄2 (13 mm.). The forewings are elongate-oblong, with the apex rounded and termen oblique.; deep bronzy-brown with very strong bluish-purple reflections; the whole surface is more or less sprinkled with lighter and darker scales; stigmata distinct, each formed of a small cluster of dark red scales intermixed with one or two black scales; there are very faint traces of similar clusters of scales near apex and tornus. The hindwings are bright golden-brown, heavily sprinkled with dark brown scales, especially towards apex. The cilia of all the wings are bronzy-brown, very faintly tipped with reddish.[2]

Distribution

G. rufopunctella is endemic to New Zealand.[4][5] This species has been collected in Wellington.[1]

Biology and behaviour

The adult moths are on the wing in November and December.[2] The species prefers forest habitat.[2]

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[6]

References
  1. Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–269. ISBN 0477025188. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. Hudson, G. V. (1950). Fragments of New Zealand entomology. - a popular account of all New Zealand cicadas. The natural history of the New Zealand glow-worm. A second supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand and notes on many other native insects. Wellington: Ferbuson & Osborn Ltd. p. 107.
  3. Hoare, Robert J. B. (2005). "Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 54: 1–102. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  4. "Gymnobathra rufopunctella Hudson, 1950". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-06-04.
  5. Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 462. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
  6. 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: 5.


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