Helastia clandestina explained

Helastia clandestina is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the South Island in and around Arthur's Pass. Adults have been collected on the wing in February and are nocturnal. Its preferred habitat is dry stony riverbeds and flood plains. The glossy blueish grey colouration of the adults of this species helps camouflage them against the rocks in their preferred habitat. H. clandestina is classified as having the conservation status of "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1921 using a specimen collected by E.S. Gourlay at Arthur's Pass and named Xanthorhoe clandestina.[1] [2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand under the same name.[3] In 1987 Robin C. Craw placed this species within the genus Helastia.[4] The holotype specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum.

Description

Philpott described the species as follows:The glossy blueish grey colouration of the adults of this species helps camouflage them against rocks.[5]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[6] [7] It occurs in Westland, North Canterbury and Mid Canterbury.[8]

Biology and lifecycle

Very little is known about the biology of H. clandestina. Hudson records it being on the wing in February. Adult moths are nocturnal.

Host species and habitat

The host species for the larvae of H. clandestina is unknown. H. clandestina prefers stony riverbed habitat such as at the Waimakariri River flood plain.[9]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Relict".[10]

Notes and References

  1. Philpott. Alfred. Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 1921. 53. 337–342. 16 May 2018. en.
  2. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 181. 15 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.
  3. Book: Hudson, G. V. . The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand . Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. . 1928 . Wellington . 113 . George Hudson (entomologist).
  4. Craw. R. C.. 1987. Revision of the genus Helastia sensu stricto with description of a new genus (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae).. New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 14. 2. 269–293. 10.1080/03014223.1987.10422997.
  5. Buckley . Thomas R. . Hoare . Robert J. B. . Leschen . Richard A. B. . 2022-10-09 . Key questions on the evolution and biogeography of New Zealand alpine insects . Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand . en . 1–25 . 10.1080/03036758.2022.2130367 . 0303-6758.
  6. 459.
  7. Web site: Helastia clandestina (Philpott, 1921). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-05-16.
  8. Book: Patrick, Brian. Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera. Dugdale. John S.. 2000. Department of Conservation, New Zealand. 978-0478218671. Wellington, N.Z.. 24. 154670803.
  9. Pawson. S.M.. Emberson. R.M.. 2000. The conservation status of invertebrates in Canterbury.. Conservation Advisory Science Notes. 320. 1–64.
  10. 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. 7.

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