Acroclita discariana explained

Acroclita discariana is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae, endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1930 using a specimen collected by Stuart Lindsay at Porter River.[1] Philpott named the species Acroclita discariana. The genus level classification of this species is regarded as unsatisfactory. As such this species is also currently known as Acroclita (s.l.) discariana.[2] The holotype specimen is held at Canterbury Museum.[3]

Description

Philpott described the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[4] [5] The species range of this moth is Marlborough, North Canterbury and Mid Canterbury. The occurrence of A. discariana is patchy within this range. Other than its type locality, this species has been collected at Motunau/Gore Bay Beach, Cass, Jacks Pass in Hamner, Amberley Beach,[6] Famish Stream in the Upper Wairau Valley, and the Culverden Scientific Reserve,[7]

Biology and life cycle

The larvae of A. discariana make distinctive webbing on their host plant. It is very tough, white and is formed at the stem axils of their host. The webbing can be as large as 30 cm in diameter. The species inhabits this webbing both as larvae and pupae. The adult moth is day flying. The species is on the wing in October and November.

Host species

The host species for this moth is the endemic plant Discaria toumatou.[8] [9]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Nationally Vulnerable.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Philpott. Alfred. 1930. Descriptions of Lepidoptera in the Canterbury Museum.. Records of the Canterbury Museum. 3. 247–250.
  2. Web site: The conservation status of invertebrates in Canterbury.. Pawson. S. M.. 2000. Researchgate. 7 May 2018.
  3. Dugdale. John S.. 1988. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa.. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 1–269. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-05-07. 2019-01-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012448/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
  4. Web site: Acroclita discariana Philpott, 1930. www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-05-07.
  5. 646.
  6. Book: Hudson, George Vernon. A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand.. Ferguson & Osborn Co. Ltd.. 1939. Wellington. 436. George Hudson (entomologist).
  7. Web site: Acroclita discariana. iNaturalist.org. en. 2018-05-07.
  8. Book: Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera. Patrick. Brian. Dugdale. John S.. 2000. Department of Conservation, New Zealand. 0478218672. Wellington, N.Z.. 154670803. 2018-05-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20180417045039/http://www.conservation.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/sfc136.pdf. 2018-04-17. dead.
  9. Web site: HOSTS - The Hostplants and Caterpillars Database at the Natural History Museum. www.nhm.ac.uk. Natural History museum, London. 7 May 2018.
  10. Book: Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015. Hoare. R.J.B.. Dugdale. J.S.. Edwards. E.D.. Gibbs. G.W.. Patrick. B.H.. Hitchmough. R.A.. Rolfe. J.R.. New Zealand Department of Conservation. 2017. 9781988514383. Wellington, New Zealand. 7.

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