Eurythecta robusta explained

Eurythecta robusta is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877 and named Zelotherses robusta.^[1] Butler used specimens from James Hector that were collected on the Canterbury Plains. Later in the same publication, thinking he was describing a separate species, Butler also named this moth Steganoptycha negligens.^[2] In 1883 Edward Meyrick placed the species within the genus Eurythecta and synonymised both names given to the species by Butler.^[3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 publication The Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand.^[4] The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.^[5]

Description

Butler described the species as follows:

Meyrick noted that the species is extremely variable in colour.

Distribution

E. robusta is endemic to New Zealand.^{[6] [7]} The species has been found in North, Mid and South Canterbury.^[8] The type locality of this species is likely Yaldhurst/West Melton in Christchurch and this area is now largely modified by the development of lifestyle blocks.^[9] The species has occurred at Kaitorete Spit, Gore Bay, Porters Pass, McLeans Island, and has surviving populations at Ashburton, and at the mouths of the Rangitata and Hinds rivers. Hudson stated that the species had been collected at Alexandra and Ben Lomond but there is some doubt as to whether this is the case.

Biology and behaviour

The females of E. robust are flightless. Adult males are on the wing from September until January.

Host plants and habitat

The larvae feed on low mat-forming herbs and turf plants. The favoured habitat of the species consists of open stony grounds or coastal grassland habitat.

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.^[10] The main threat to this species is the destruction of its original habitat both by urban development and by farming practises.

Notes and References

1. Butler. Arthur G.. Arthur Gardiner Butler. 1877. On two collections of Heterocerous Lepidoptera from New Zealand, with descriptions of new genera and species.. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. en. 1877:May-Dec.. 379–407. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
2. Butler. Arthur G.. Arthur Gardiner Butler. 1877. On two collections of Heterocerous Lepidoptera from New Zealand, with descriptions of new genera and species.. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. en. 1877:May-Dec.. 379–407. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
3. Meyrick. Edward. 1883. Descriptions of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. I and II. Crambidae and Tortricina. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. en. 15. 3–33, 33–68. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
4. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 224. 25449322. George Hudson (entomologist).
5. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera-annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa.. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 1–264. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 21 May 2018. 27 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012006/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/49008/FNZ14Dugdale1988150.pdf. dead.
6. Web site: Eurythecta robusta (Butler, 1877). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 21 May 2018.
7. 464.
8. Patrick. B. H.. Dugdale.. J. S.. 2000. Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera. Science for Conservation. 136. 23. 0478218672. 1173-2946. Department of Conservation. 16 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170501193054/http://doc.org.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/sfc136.pdf. 1 May 2017. dead.
9. The conservation status of invertebrates in Canterbury. Pawson, Stephen M.. Emberson, Rowan M.. 2000. Department of Conservation. 54. 10182/1658. 1171-9834.
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. 8.