Ericodesma aerodana explained

Ericodesma aerodana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. The species inhabits sand dunes and larvae feed on Pimelea prostrata. Adults are on the wing from October to January and are active at twilight. This species is classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation as its larval host plant is under threat from habitat loss and the invasive to New Zealand plant, sea spurge.

Taxonomy

This moth was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1881 using specimens collected in Hamilton in January.[1] He named the species Tortrix aerodana. George Vernon Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book under the names Tortrix indigestana as well as T. aerodana.[2] In 1971 John S. Dugdale assigned T. aerodana to the genus Ericodesma.[3] The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[4]

Description

Meyrick described the moth as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[5] [6] The species can be found in Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Taranaki, Whanganui, Wellington, Marlborough & Marlborough Sounds, Kaikōura, Mid Canterbury.[7]

Biology, behaviour and habitat

Adults are on wing from October to January. Adult moths are active at twilight. E. areodana inhabits sand dune habitat.[8]

Host species

The larvae feed on Pimelea prostrata.[9]

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Declining" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[10] The survival of this moth is dependent upon the survival of its host plants. These are under threat as a result of habitat loss. The moth and its host plant is also under threat by the sea spurge.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Meyrick. Edward. Edward Meyrick. 1881. Descriptions of Australian Micro-Lepidoptera. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. en. 6 . 21–24. 410–536. 10.5962/bhl.part.11873. 0370-047X. Biodiversity Heritage Library. 2027/uc2.ark:/13960/t0js9jt3x. free.
  2. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 227. George Hudson (entomologist).
  3. Dugdale. J. S.. 10 November 1971. Entomology of the Aucklands and other Islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-Crambine Pyralidae. Pacific Insects Monograph. 27. 55–172. Bishop Museum.
  4. Dugdale. J. S.. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 1988. 14. 117. 30 April 2018. 27 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012448/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
  5. 464.
  6. Web site: Ericodesma aerodana (Meyrick, 1881). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 9 May 2018.
  7. Book: Patrick, Brian. Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera.. Dugdale. John S.. Department of Conservation. 2000. 0478218672. Wellington, New Zealand. 22.
  8. Web site: Active sand dunes. Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. en. 2018-05-09.
  9. Patrick. Brian. 1994. Lepidoptera of Kaitorete Spit, Canterbury.. New Zealand Entomologist. 17. 52–63. 10.1.1.580.6402. 10.1080/00779962.1994.9721985.
  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. 7.
  11. Web site: Risk analysis: sea spurge - MPI. Duthie. Catherine. 2012. 9 May 2018.

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