Bascantis Explained

Bascantis is a genus of moths belonging to the family Tineidae. It contains only one species, Bascantis sirenica, that is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1914 using a specimen collected by George Hudson at Kaeo in January.[1] [2] Hudson discussed and illustrated this species both in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand as well as his 1950 publication Fragments of New Zealand entomology.[3] [4] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[5] [6] Along with the type locality of Kaeo, this species has also been collected in Waitākere Ranges, Days Bay, and Wainuiomata. It was last seen in 1950.[7]

Biology and behaviour

The adult moth is on the wing in January. It is a day flying moth. It has been hypothesised that this moth mimics the appearance of the beetle Zorion guttigerum.

Host species and habitat

This species has been collected by sweeping in dense forest.

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Data Deficient.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Dugdale. J. S.. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 1988. 14. 155. 9 February 2018. 27 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012448/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
  2. Meyrick. E.. 1914. Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. en. 46. 101–118. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. Book: Hudson, G. V.. George Hudson (entomologist)

    . The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 341. 25449322. George Hudson (entomologist).

  4. Book: Hudson, George Vernon. Fragments of New Zealand entomology : a popular account of all the New Zealand cicadas : the natural history of the New Zealand glow-worm : a second supplement to The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, and notes on many other native insects.. Ferguson & Osborn. 1950. Wellington, N.Z.. 112–113. 154155584.
  5. 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.. 464. 973607714.
  6. Web site: Bascantis sirenica Meyrick, 1914. www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 7 February 2018.
  7. Web site: NZTCS Lepidoptera spreadsheet. 2013. www.doc.govt.nz. 30 May 2018.
  8. Book: Hoare, R.J.B.. Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015. 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. 5.

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