Horisme suppressaria explained

Horisme suppressaria is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by Francis Walker. Currently the taxonomy of this species is uncertain and as a result this species is also known as Horisme (s.l.) suppressaria. The species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. The larval hosts of H. suppressaria are species in the genus Corokia including Corokia cotoneaster.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1863 using specimens collected in Nelson by T. R. Oxley and originally named Phibalapteryx suppressaria.^{[1] [2]} Edward Meyrick discussed this species under this name in 1885.^[3] In 1917 Meyrick placed this species in the genus Xanthorhoe.^[4] George Hudson discussed this species under that name in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand.^[5] In 1942 thinking he was describing a new species, George Howes described this species as Hydriomena? paucita.^[6] Prout discussed this species, hypothesising that the species was misplaced in the genus Xanthorhoe and that it should be placed in either Euphyia or Horisme.^[7] In 1979 J. D. Holloway discussed this species under the name Horisme suppressaria. J. S. Dugdale also discussed this species under that name in 1988 and at the same time synonymised Hydriomena paucita into this species. As a result of this uncertainly and the possibility that this species belongs to another genus, this species is also currently known as Horisme (s.l.) suppressaria.^{[8] [9]} The female lectotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Walker described the adult female of this species as follows: This species is variable in colour with some specimens being a darker shade than others.

Distribution

This species is endemic New Zealand.^[10] It has been observed in the North and South Islands.^[11]

Behaviour

Larvae have been observed in February and adults have been observed on the wing in October, January and February.^[12]

Host species

The larval hosts of H. suppressaria are species in the genus Corokia including Corokia cotoneaster.^{[13] [14]}

Notes and References

1. 1721.
2. 182.
3. 67.
4. 67.
5. 112.
6. 277.
7. Prout . L. B. . 1939 . Xanthorhoë . Die Grossschmetterlinge der Erde . 12 . 251 . Biodiversity Heritage Library.
8. 459.
9. Web site: Horisme suppressaria (Walker, 1863) - Biota of NZ . 2023-12-03 . biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz.
10. Web site: Horisme suppressaria (Walker, 1863) . 2022-04-27 . www.nzor.org.nz.
11. Web site: Horisme suppressaria (Walker) . 2023-12-03 . www.gbif.org . en.
12. Web site: Horisme suppressaria . 2023-12-03 . iNaturalist . en.
13. 62.
14. Web site: October 2002 . Mt Difficulty Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review: Conservation Resources Report . 3 December 2023 . www.linz.govt.nz/ . Land Information New Zealand . 19.