Austrocidaria parora explained

Austrocidaria parora is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

Taxonomy

This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1884 as Harpalyce parora.^{[1] [2]} In 1886 Meyrick recognised that the genus name he had used for this species had been used previously and renamed the genus in which he placed this species as Probolaea.^[3] In 1898 George Hudson placed this species within the Asaphodes genus.^[4] In 1906 George Howes, discussing the species under the name Asaphodes parora, also illustrated it.^[5] In 1928 Hudson discussed and illustrated the species again under the name Asaphodes parora.^[6] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Austrocidaria.^[7]

The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Hudson described this species in 1898 as follows:

It is regarded as being variable in colour.

Distribution

Austrocidaria parora is endemic to New Zealand.^{[8] [9]} The lectotype specimen was collected at Riccarton Bush in Christchurch. This species has also been collected at Mount Ruapehu, Whanganui, Lake Horowhenua, Wellington, Greymouth, Mount Hutt, Central Otago,^[10] and Invercargill.

Behaviour and biology

Adults have been recorded as being on wing in January and February as well as in August and September.^{[11] [12]} The larvae feed on Coprosma species.^[13]

External links

• Image of lectotype specimen

Notes and References

1. Meyrick. Edward. 1884. Supplement to a monograph of the New Zealand Geometridae.. New Zealand Journal of Science. en. 2. 234–235. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
2. Meyrick. Edward. 1885. Supplement to a Monograph of the New Zealand Geometrina. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 17. 62–68. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
3. Meyrick. Edward. May 1886. Notes on Nomenclature of New Zealand Geometrina. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 18. 184. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
4. Book: Hudson, G. V.. New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). West, Newman & Co.. 1898. London. 56. 10.5962/bhl.title.32466. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
5. Howes. George. 1906. Note on the Occurrence of Two Rare and Two Introduced Moths. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 38. 509. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
6. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 108–109. George Hudson (entomologist).
7. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 175. 24 September 2019. 27 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012448/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
8. Book: New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom Animalia: Chaetognatha, Ecdysozoa, Ichnofossils. Canterbury University Press. 2010. 9781877257933. Gordon. Dennis P.. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.. 459. 973607714.
9. Web site: Austrocidaria parora (Meyrick, 1884). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2017-08-22.
10. Web site: Evaluation of a proposed significant natural area at Mt Iron, Wanaka. Wildland Consultants Ltd. 2017. Queenstown Lakes District Council. 25 September 2019.
11. Lyford. Brian M.. 1994. Lepidoptera and Trichoptera from Paroa, near Greymouth, New Zealand. New Zealand Entomologist. 17. 1. 46–51. 10.1080/00779962.1994.9721984. 10.1.1.728.7273. 0077-9962.
12. Philpott. Alfred. 1930. The Lepidoptera of Mount Cook District, with descriptions of new species. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 61. 419–439. National Library of New Zealand.
13. Department of Conservation . July 2005 . Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review - Lake Hawea part 1. Land Information New Zealand . 22 August 2017 .