Meterana pansicolor explained

Meterana pansicolor is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was described by George Howes and named Morrisonia pansicolor in 1912 from specimens collected in Dunedin in November.[1] George Hudson, using the same name, described and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[2] In 1988 John S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Meterana.[3] The lectotype specimen is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Description

Howes described the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[4] [5] It is only known from Dunedin[6] and Central Otago.[7]

Biology and behaviour

Very little is known about the biology of this species. Adult moths emerge in spring.[8] The adults are on the wing in October and November. The adult moths are attracted to sugar traps.

Host species and habitat

The larvae of this moth feed on lacebark (Hoheria) species.[9]

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Howes. William George. 1912. New species of Lepidoptera.. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. en. 44. 203–208. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  2. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 69. George Hudson (entomologist).
  3. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 207. 25 May 2018. 22 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190722101744/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
  4. 461.
  5. Web site: Meterana pansicolor (Howes, 1912). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 9 July 2017.
  6. Book: Patrick, Brian. Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera. Dugdale. John S.. 2000. Department of Conservation, New Zealand. 0478218672. Wellington, N.Z.. 27. 154670803.
  7. Patrrick. B. H.. Archibald. R. D.. Lepidoptera light-trapped at Owaka, South Otago. New Zealand Entomologist. January 1988. 11. 1. 70–72. 10.1080/00779962.1988.9722541.
  8. Patrick. Brian. 2014. Winter-emerging moths of New Zealand. The Weta. 48. 8–14.
  9. Hoare. R. J. B.. 2016. A paradise for lepidopterists. Pukorokoro Miranda News. Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust. 100. 24–25.
  10. 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.

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