Gymnobathra origenes explained

Gymnobathra origenes is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is in need of taxonomic revision and it has been hypothesised that it belongs to the family Gelechiidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation. This species is known from only one specimen.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1936 using a specimen collected by Stewart Lindsay from Mount St Arnaud at approximately 1200m.[1] [2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[3] The holotype is held at the Canterbury Museum.

The genus level classification of this species is regarded as unsatisfactory.[4] However, as this species is only known from a single specimen that has lost its abdomen this issue is currently unresolved. As such the species is also known as Gymnobathra (s.l.) origenes. It has been hypothesised that the genus this species belongs is in the family Gelechiidae.

Description

Edward Meyrick described this species as follows:

Distribution

G. origenes is endemic to New Zealand.[5] It only known from the Saint Arnaud Range.[6]

Biology and behaviour

The adult moths are on the wing in December.

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 1–269. 4 June 2018. 0477025188. 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. Edward. 1936. Descriptions and notes on New Zealand Lepidoptera.. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 66. 281–283.
  3. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 93. 25449322. George Hudson (entomologist).
  4. Hoare . Robert J. B. . Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae . Fauna of New Zealand . 2005 . 54 . 1–102 . 4 June 2018.
  5. Web site: Gymnobathra origenes Meyrick, 1936. www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-06-04.
  6. Web site: NZTCS Lepidoptera Spreadsheet. 2013. www.doc.govt.nz. 4 June 2018.
  7. 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. 5.