Helastia angusta
| Helastia angusta | |
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| Species: | H. angusta
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| Binomial name | |
| Helastia angusta | |
Helastia angusta is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Robin C. Craw in 1987 using a specimen collected by John S. Dugdale at Moke Lake.[2][3] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[2]
Description
Craw described the species as follows:
Medium sized (r.f.l. 13.5-14.1 mm) narrowly falcate forewing. Upperside forewing coloured whitish purplish brown with darker transverse basal, antemedial and postmedial lines; oblique purplish brown apical streak. Postmedial line with distinct double toothed median projection; basal line evenly curved, no angular projection. Male antennae ciliated.[3]
Although similar in appearance to its relative H. expolita, H.angusta can be distinguished by its narrower forewing and the more rounded appearance of its underside basal line.[3]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][4] It occurs in the Otago Lakes and Mackenzie areas.[5]
Host species and habitat
The host species for the larvae of H. angusta is unknown but it has been hypothesised it may be a shrub species.[5] Moth species closely related to H. angusta have larvae that feed Helichrysum lanceolatum.[6]
Conservation status
This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Relict".[7]
References
- ^ a b "Helastia angusta Craw, 1987". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
- ^ a b Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 68. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- ^ a b c Craw, R. C. (2 February 2012). "Revision of the genus Helastia sensu stricto with description of a new genus (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 14 (2): 269–293. doi:10.1080/03014223.1987.10422997.
- ^ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. Vol. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 459. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
{{cite book}}:|volume=has extra text (help) - ^ a b Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. (2000). Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera (PDF). Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Conservation, New Zealand. p. 24. ISBN 0478218672. OCLC 154670803.
- ^ Pawson, S.M.; Emberson, R.M. (2000). "The conservation status of invertebrates in Canterbury" (PDF). Conservation Advisory Science Notes. 320: 1–64.
- ^ 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. 7. ISBN 9781988514383.
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