Pyrgotis transfixa explained

Pyrgotis transfixa is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick from a specimen collected by George Hudson at Gollan's Valley, Wellington in December.^{[1] [2]} Meyrick named the species Catamacta transfixa. George Hudson described and illustrated this species under that name in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.^[3] In 1971 John S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Pyrgotis.^[4] The holotype specimen of this species is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described this species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.^{[5] [6]} This species is only known from Wellington. Specimens have been obtained in the Ōrongorongo Valley.^[7]

Biology and life cycle

Very little is known of the biology of this species. The adult moths are on the wing in December. They are attracted to light.

Host species and habitat

This species prefers forest habitat. The host species and larvae of this moth are at present unknown.

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.^[8]

External links

• Image of holotype specimen

Notes and References

1. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 127. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-05-25. 2019-07-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20190722101744/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
2. Meyrick. E.. Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 1924. 55. 202–206. 25 May 2018. en.
3. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 221. George Hudson (entomologist).
4. Dugdale. J. S.. 1971. Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae.. Pacific Insects Monograph. 27. 55–172.
5. Web site: Pyrgotis transfixa (Meyrick, 1924). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-05-25.
6. 465.
7. Book: Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera. Patrick. B.H.. Dugdale. J.S.. 2000. Dept. of Conservation. 978-047821867-1. Wellington, N.Z.. 31. 15 January 2017.
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. 8.