Maoricrambus Explained

Maoricrambus is a genus of moths of the family Crambidae.^[1] It contains only one species, Maoricrambus oncobolus, which is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

M. oncobolus was named by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and described using a specimen collected at Castle Hill Basin,^{[2] [3]} now part of the Kura Tāwhiti Conservation Area near Arthur's Pass.^[4] In 1895 when listing the species George Hampson misspelt it resulting in the synonym for the species of Crambus oncolobus.^{[5] [6]} In 1975 D. E. Gaskin erected the monotypic genus Maoricrambus for Crambus oncolobus.^[7] The lectotype and paralectotype specimens are held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:

M. oncobolus is very similar in appearance to Orocrambus harpophorus. However M. oncobolus does not have the subterminal spotting of the forewings that can be found on the forewings of O. harpophorus. Also the two species are dissimilar in both the male and female genital structure.

Adults are on wing from December to February.

Distribution

M. oncobolus is endemic to New Zealand.^{[8] [9]} This species is restricted to central Canterbury and Southland. Specimens of this species have been collected at Porter River among the boulders and lichens near the edge of the river and at the Sandy Point Domain near Invercargill.^[10]

Habitat

M. oncobolus is associated with riverside grasslands in Southland and braided riverbeds central Canterbury.^{[11] [12]}

Host plants

The host plants of this species are unknown.

Conservation status

M. oncobolus is regarded as being "Nationally Endangered" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Maoricrambus Gaskin, 1975. www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2 May 2018.
2. Meyrick. Edward. 1885. Description of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. V [VI]. Pyralidina [abstract].]. New Zealand Journal of Science. en. 2. 346–348. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
3. Meyrick. Edward. 1885. Descriptions of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. VI. Pyralidina. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. en. 17. 121–140. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
4. Web site: Kura Tāwhiti Conservation Area. www.doc.govt.nz. New Zealand Department of Conservation. en. 2018-05-03.
5. Hampson. G. F.. George Hampson. 1895. On the classification of the Schoenobiinae and Crambinae, two subfamilies of moths of the family Pyralidae.. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. en. 1895. 897–974.
6. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 145–146. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
7. Gaskin. D. E.. 1975. Revision of the New Zealand Crambini (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Crambinae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 2. 3. 265–363. 10.1080/03014223.1975.9517878.
8. Web site: Maoricrambus oncobolus (Meyrick, 1885). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-01-20.
9. 457.
10. R. J. Pagan . 31 July 2013. Management Plan Sandy Point Domain. Invercargill City Council. 115.
11. Book: Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera.. Patrick. Brian. Dugdale. John S.. Department of Conservation. 2000. 978-0478218671. Wellington, New Zealand. 28.
12. Gaskin. David E.. Supplement to New Zealand Crambinae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) — corrections, description of females of two species, and notes on structure, biology, and distribution. New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 1987. 14. 1. 113–121. 10.1080/03014223.1987.10422688. 3 May 2018. free.
13. Web site: Patrick. Brian H.. Hoare. R.J.B.. Maoricrambus oncobolus. www.landcareresearch.co.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 22 January 2018. en.