Orocrambus ornatus explained

Orocrambus ornatus is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

O. ornatus was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1927 using a male specimen he collected in Golden Downs on 8 January 1926.^{[1] [2]} Philpott named the species Crambus ornatus.^[3] George Vernon Hudson described and illustrated the species under the same name in 1939.^[4] In 1975 David Edward Gaskin assigned Crambus ornatus to the genus Orocrambus.

Description

Philpott described the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand^{[5] [6]} and has been recorded in Golden Downs in the Tasman District as well as in the Nelson district.^[7]

Ecology and habitat

O. ornatus appears to prefer forest habitat. Adults have been recorded on wing in January.

Host plants

This species has been found to be associated with plants in the genus Uncinia.

Conservation status

This species has the "Nationally Critical" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.^[8]

Notes and References

1. Dugdale. J. S.. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 1988. 14. 149. 1 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.
2. 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.
3. Philpott. Alfred. 1927. Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera.. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 58. 80–92. Papers Past.
4. Book: Hudson, George Vernon. A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand.. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1939. Wellington. 419.
5. Web site: Orocrambus ornatus (Philpott, 1927). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 1 May 2018.
6. 457.
7. Book: Patrick, Brian. Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera.. Dugdale. John S.. Department of Conservation. 2000. 978-0478218671. Wellington, New Zealand. 28.
8. 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. 6.