Microdes quadristrigata
Microdes quadristrigata | |
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Female. | |
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Male. | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Geometridae |
Genus: | Microdes |
Species: | M. quadristrigata
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Binomial name | |
Microdes quadristrigata (Walker, 1862)
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Synonyms[1] | |
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Microdes quadristrigata is a moth in the family Geometridae.[2] It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. Adults have been observed from February to May as well as in November and December. They are attracted to light.
Taxonomy
[edit]This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 using specimens collected by Daniel Bolton in Auckland and named Larentia quadristrigata, although Walker was in doubt as to whether Larentia was the appropriate genus to place this species.[3][1] In the same publication, thinking he was describing a new species, Walker also named this species Larentia interclusa.[3] This name was synonymised by Edward Meyrick in 1884.[4] In 1885 Meyrick raised the possibility that this species should be placed in the genus Microdes.[5] Cajetan von Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer, again thinking they were describing a new species, named this species Microdes toriata in 1875.[6] This name was synonymised by Meyrick in 1917.[7] In 1898 George Hudson, again thinking he was describing a new species, named it Chloroclystis rectilineata.[8] This name was synonymised by Meyrick in 1913.[9] In 1927 Alfred Philpott discussed the male genitalia of this species.[10] Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand.[11] In 1988 John S. Dugdale discussed this species and confirmed its placement in the genus Microdes.[1] The female holotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[1]
Description
[edit]
Hudson described this species as follows:
The expansion of the wings is 3⁄4 inch. The fore-wings are pale grey; there are several irregular black, transverse lines near the base, very broad on the costa; a broad, pale, central area with no distinct markings; then two very fine, almost straight, parallel, dark transverse lines alternating with two broader white lines, and followed by a very conspicuous black line, this being again immediately followed by a fainter black line; beyond these lines the wing is darker, with a wavy transverse white line and a row of black terminal marks. The hind-wings are grey with several faint, wavy, transverse lines and a series of darker marks on the termen. The cilia of all the wings are grey.[11]
Distribution
[edit]This species is endemic to New Zealand.[2] It is found in the North, South and Stewart Islands.[11][12]
Behaviour
[edit]Adults have been observed on the wing from February to May and then in November and December.[13] They are attracted to light.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 184. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
- ^ a b "Microdes quadristrigata". Biota of New Zealand. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ a b Francis Walker (1862), List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum, XXIV: Geometrites (continued), vol. 24, p. 1200-1201, 1202-1203, Wikidata Q109609883
- ^ Edward Meyrick (May 1884). "A Monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 16: 109. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q109615359. BHL page 33245749
- ^ Edward Meyrick (1885). "Supplement to a monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 17: 67. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q111032066. BHL page 33934497
- ^ Felder, Cajetan; Rogenhofer, Alois Friedrich (1864–1867). "Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara". Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. Von W. pt.9:Bd.2:Abt.2 (1864-1867) Atlas: tab cxxxi fig 34. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.1597 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Edward Meyrick (December 1917). "Revision of New Zealand Notodontina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 49: 252. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q110727829.
- ^ George Vernon Hudson (1898), New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera), Illustrator: George Hudson, London, p. 45, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.7912, OCLC 980865393, Wikidata Q19073637
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) BHL page 7643692 - ^ E. Meyrick (9 June 1913). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 45: 23. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q63000557. BHL page 9975739
- ^ Alfred Philpott (15 August 1927). "The Modification of the Eighth Sternite in Microdes (Lepidoptera)". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 58: 91–92. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q134538099.
- ^ a b c Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 88, LCCN 88133764, OCLC 25449322, Wikidata Q58593286 BHL page 61899699
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b T. H. Davies (January 1973). "LIST OF LEPIDOPTERA COLLECTED IN AREAS SURROUNDING HASTINGS AND NAPIER" (PDF). New Zealand Entomologist. 5 (2): 204–216. doi:10.1080/00779962.1973.9723002. ISSN 0077-9962. Wikidata Q54755566. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2013.
- ^ Graeme White (1991). "The Changing Abundance of Moths in a Tussock Grassland, 1962- 1989, and 50-Year to 70-Year Trends" (PDF). New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 15 (1): 5–22. ISSN 0110-6465. JSTOR 24054454. Wikidata Q107569572.