Kiwaia jeanae explained

Kiwaia jeanae, also known as the Kaitorete jumper or mat daisy jumper, is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. Both the males and females of this species are brachypterous.

Taxonomy

This species was described by Alfred Philpott in 1930 using a specimen collected at Birdlings Flat, Canterbury.[1] [2] George Hudson also discussed and illustrated this species in 1939.[3] This species is named in honour of Jean Lindsay, the first collector of the species. The holotype specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum.

Description

Philpott originally described the species as follows:

It has been hypothesised that the hairs on the hind wings of the male may assist in the release of pheromones attracting the females of the species. Both the males and females of this species are brachypterous.[4] This reduction in wing size is rare in male moths.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[5] [6] It is found in North and Mid Canterbury. As well as its type locality, this species has also occurred at Kaitorete Spit,[7] Amberley beach, at Leithfield beach,[8] both near Amberley.

Biology and behaviour

Very little is known of the biology of this species. The adult moths of this species jump like a flea. Adult moths have been collected from January to mid April.[9]

Habitat and host species

This species has been collected on active sand dunes[10] or shingle soils covered with cushion plants. The host plants for the larvae of this species are Raoulia mats and it has been hypothesised that the larvae are detritivorous.

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[11] This species is at risk because of habitat damage caused by commercial shingle removal and stock trampling. The main threats to this species at Kaitorete Spit have been recorded as weed invasion, damage to habitat by recreational vehicles, housing development of habitat and predators.[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Philpott. A.. Alfred Philpott. 1930. Descriptions of Lepidoptera in the Canterbury Museum.. Records of the Canterbury Museum. 3. 247–250.
  2. Dugdale. J. S.. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 1988. 14. 82. 25 May 2018. 27 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012448/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
  3. Book: Hudson, G. V.. A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand.. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1939. Wellington. 438. George Hudson (entomologist).
  4. Sattler. K. 1988. The systematic status of the genera Ilseopsis Povolny, 1965, and Empista Povolny, 1968 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae: Gnorimoschemini). Nota Lepidopterologica. 10. 4. 224–235. 0342-7536. Internet Archive.
  5. Web site: Kiwaia jeanae Philpott, 1930. www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-05-25.
  6. 459.
  7. News: Kaitorete home to rare moth. 2016-03-09. Te Waihora. 2018-05-25. 2022-01-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20220126093040/https://tewaihora.org/kaitorete-home-to-rare-moth/. dead.
  8. Book: Patrick, Brian. Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera. Dugdale. John S.. 2000. Department of Conservation, New Zealand. 0478218672. Wellington, N.Z.. 25. 154670803.
  9. Pawson. S.M.. Emberson. R.M.. 2000. The conservation status of invertebrates in Canterbury.. Conservation Advisory Science Notes. 320. 1–64.
  10. Web site: Active sand dunes. Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. en. 2018-05-25.
  11. 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.
  12. News: Important protection work at Te Waihora. 5 May 2016. 2018-05-25. Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA).

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