Petasactis Explained

Petasactis is a genus of moths belonging to the family Tineidae. It contains only one species, Petasactis technica, which is endemic to New Zealand. This species has not been collected since prior to 1888. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This genus was described by Edward Meyrick in 1915.[1] [2] The species was also described by Edward Meyrick in 1888 and named Ereunetis technica using a female specimen he collected at Whangarei Heads in December.[3] [4] In 1915 Meyrick reassigned this species to the genus Petasactis when he revised New Zealand Tineina. George Hudson discussed this species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[5] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[6] [7] This species is only known to be present at its type locality.[8]

Biology and behaviour

The biology of this species is largely unknown. Adult moths are on the wing in December.

Host species

It has been hypothesised that P. technica larva inhabit and consume dead leaves of large monocots or dead wood.

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[9] It has not been collected since Meyrick obtained the type specimen.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Petasactis Meyrick, 1915. www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-02-15.
  2. Meyrick. E.. 1915. Revision of New Zealand Tineina.. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. en. 47. 205–244. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. Meyrick. E.. 1888. Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina.. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. en. 20. 77–106. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. Dugdale. J. S.. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 1988. 14. 63. 15 February 2018. 22 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190722101744/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
  5. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 337. 25449322. George Hudson (entomologist).
  6. Book: New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Canterbury University Press. 2010. 9781877257933. Gordon. Dennis P.. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.. 464. 973607714.
  7. Web site: Petasactis technica (Meyrick, 1888). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-02-15.
  8. Patrick. B. H.. Dugdale.. J. S.. 2000. Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera. Science for Conservation. 136. 29. 0478218672. 1173-2946. Department of Conservation. 2018-06-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20170501193054/http://doc.org.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/sfc136.pdf. 2017-05-01. dead.
  9. 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. 5.
  10. Web site: NZTCS Lepidoptera Spreadsheet. 2013. www.doc.govt.nz. 3 June 2018.

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