Cadmogenes Explained

Cadmogenes is a genus of moths of the family Plutellidae. It contains only one species, Cadmogenes literata, which is found in New Zealand. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as "Not Threatened" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

The genus Cadmogenes was described in the family Plutellidae, but is considered an enigmatic unplaced genus (along with the genus Titanomis) and may require its own family.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Cadmogenes literata was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1923 using specimens collected at Silverstream and Auckland in January.^[4] George Hudson described and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.^[5] The lectotype specimen was collected at Kauri Gully, Birkenhead, Auckland by George Hudson and is held at the Natural History Museum, London.^[6]

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:The wing venation of the adult moth differs depending on whether the larva is reared from Pterophylla or Caldcluvia inflorescences.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.^{[7] [8]} C. literata occurs in the Northland, Auckland, Taupo, Taranaki and Wellington areas.

Host species and biology

The larvae feed on the flowers of Caldcluvia and Weinmannia species.^[9] There is one generation per year. The type locality of Kauri Gully now has few Weinmannia trees but these are abundant at Silverstream.

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "Not Threatened" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Program and Proceedings of the International Lepidopterists' Conference, Denver, July 23–29, 2012. 2012. Krell. Frank-Thorsten. Bettman. David. www.dmns.org. 16 May 2018. Gilligan. Todd. https://web.archive.org/web/20160322154533/http://www.dmns.org/media/1076163/lepiproceedingsweb.pdf. 22 March 2016. dead.
2. Heikkilä. Maria. Mutanen. Marko. Wahlberg. Niklas. Sihvonen. Pasi. Kaila. Lauri. Elusive ditrysian phylogeny: an account of combining systematized morphology with molecular data (Lepidoptera). BMC Evolutionary Biology. 21 November 2015. 15. 1. 260. 10.1186/s12862-015-0520-0. 4654798. 26589618 . free .
3. Hoare, R.J.B.. 2012. Marvels, mysteries and challenges in the New Zealand Lepidoptera fauna. International Lepidopterists' Conference, Denver, July 23–29, 2012. Denver Museum of Natural History. 20. 827976504. 24 January 2018. Program and Proceedings of the International Lepidopterists' Conference, Denver, July 23–29, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160322154533/http://www.dmns.org/media/1076163/lepiproceedingsweb.pdf. 22 March 2016. dead.
4. Meyrick. Edward. Edward Meyrick. 1923. Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera.. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. en. 54. 162–169. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
5. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 327–328. George Hudson (entomologist).
6. 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. 2018-05-27. 2019-01-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012448/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
7. Web site: Cadmogenes literata Meyrick, 1923. www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-05-27.
8. 465.
9. Book: Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera. Patrick. Brian. Dugdale. John S.. 2000. Department of Conservation, New Zealand. 0478218672. Wellington, N.Z.. 154670803.
10. 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. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20. 9.