Helastia siris explained

Helastia siris is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by E. F. Hawthorne in 1897 using a specimen he collected in Wellington and named Asaphodes siris.[1] [2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1898 book under the same name and in his 1928 book as a synonym of Hydriomena triphragma.[3] [4] In 1987 Robin C. Craw placed this species within the genus Helastia.[5] The holotype specimen is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Description

Hudson described the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[6] [7] It occurs in Wellington, Stephens Island and in the Chatham Islands. It has been collected from Baring Head.[8]

Biology and lifecycle

Very little is known about the biology of H. siris.[9] It is on the wing in March.

Host species and habitat

This species prefers short tussock grassland habitat in coastal areas. The host species for the larvae of H. siris is unknown. It has been hypothesised the larvae of H. siris feed on the flowers of Helichrysum species and then feed on mosses, lichens or shrubs growing nearby.[10]

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Relict".[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Hawthorne. E. F.. 1897. Descriptions of two new species of Lepidoptera.. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. en. 29. 282–283. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  2. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 181. 16 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.. New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). West, Newman & Co.. 1898. London. 55. 10581623. George Hudson (entomologist).
  4. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 98. 25449322. George Hudson (entomologist).
  5. 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.
  6. 459.
  7. Web site: Helastia siris (Hawthorne, 1897). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-05-16.
  8. Web site: Baring Head ecological values. Crisp. Philippa. 2008. www.gw.govt.nz. 16 May 2018.
  9. 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.
  10. Patrick . Brian . 2014 . Of lichens and mosses . Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand . 11 . 8 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170507224533/https://www.monarch.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/MBNZT_Issue-11_Summer-2014_online.pdf . 7 May 2017.
  11. 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. 8.

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