Jump to content

Ericodesma cuneata

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ericodesma cuneata
Holotype specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tortricidae
Genus: Ericodesma
Species:
E. cuneata
Binomial name
Ericodesma cuneata
(Clarke, 1926)[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Tortrix cuneata Clarke, 1926

Ericodesma cuneata, the Corokia leafroller moth, is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

[edit]

This species was first described by Charles E. Clarke in 1926 using a specimen collected by him at Hope Arm, Lake Manapouri and named Tortrix cuneata.[2][3] In 1971 John S. Dugdale assigned Tortrix cuneata to the genus Ericodesma.[4] The holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.[2]

Description

[edit]

Clarke described the species as follows:

♂. 13 mm. Head and thorax light grey; palpi moderate. Antennae grey, antennal ciliations 12. Abdomen pale ochreous-grey. Forewings elongate, costa moderately arched, apex bluntly pointed, termen slightly rounded, oblique; pale grey with a number of small obscure dots with tendency to form rows; a transverse blunt wedge-shaped red bar at 12 of dorsum, reaching half-way across wing. Hindwings pale ochreous-grey: cilia pale grey.[3]

Distribution

[edit]

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][5] E. cuneata can be found at Taupō, Otago Lakes and Fiordland.[6] The species, although rare, can be found frequently at The Wilderness in Southland.[7]

Biology and behaviour

[edit]

The larvae of this species web leaves together on the foliated stems of its host plant.[8]

Host species and habitat

[edit]
Corokia cotoneaster

The larvae of E. cuneata feed on Corokia cotoneaster, (korokio).[6] However the moth has not been associated with urban plantings of its host.[6] The adult moth has been collected in beech forest habitat,[3] as well as at strongly leached terraces and plains commonly called "wilderness".[7]

Conservation status

[edit]

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b 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. 464. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
  2. ^ a b c Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 117. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Clarke, Charles E. (1926). "New species of Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 56: 417–421. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  4. ^ Dugdale, J. S. (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other Islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-Crambine Pyralidae" (PDF). Pacific Insects Monograph. 27: 55–172 – via Bishop Museum.
  5. ^ "Ericodesma cuneata (Clarke, 1926)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
  6. ^ a b c Patrick, B. H.; Dugdale, J. S. (2000). "Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera" (PDF). Science for Conservation. 136. Department of Conservation, New Zealand: 27. ISSN 1173-2946. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
  7. ^ a b Dymond, John R., ed. (2013). "New Zealand's naturally uncommon ecosystems". Ecosystem services in New Zealand. Lincoln, N.Z.: Manaaki Whenua Press. p. 58. ISBN 9780478347364. OCLC 870683169.
  8. ^ "PlantSynz - Invertebrate herbivore biodiversity assessment tool: Database". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2011. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
  9. ^ 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.