Schiffermuelleria orthophanes explained

Schiffermuelleria orthophanes is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

In 1905 Edward Meyrick described this species and named it Compsistis orthophanes. He used specimens he collected in Nelson and Auckland in December and January.[1] The type specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[2] Meyrick subsequently placed it within the European genus Schiffermuelleria with George Vernon Hudson discussing the species under this name in 1928. This endemic New Zealand species likely belongs to a separate genus. Robert J. B. Hoare has proposed a Hierodoris group to include this species but further work is needed to determine the correct genus in which to place this moth.[3] As such the species is currently also known as Schiffermuelleria (s.l.) orthophanes.

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[4] It has been collected in Auckland, Waimarino,[5] Wellington, North Brother Island, Stephens Island, Nelson, and Southland.[6]

Biology and habitat

Little is known of the biology of this species. It has been hypothesised that larvae may subsist on litter or twigs. The adult moths appear from September to March. Hudson noted that, although previously regarded as rare, in the years surrounding 1928 the species had become more common. Earlier records indicate the species inhabited modified and suburban localities.[7]

Conservation status

In 2017 this moth was classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Nationally Critical and data poor.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Meyrick. Edward. 1905. Notes on New Zealand Lepidoptera.. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. en. 1905. 219–244. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  2. Dugdale. J. S.. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 1988. 14. 98. 2 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.
  3. Hoare. Robert J. B.. Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae. Fauna of New Zealand. 2005. 54. 1–102. 2 May 2018. Manaaki Whenua Press. Lincoln, Canterbury, NZ.. 0111-5383.
  4. Web site: Schiffermuelleria orthophanes (Meyrick, 1905). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2 May 2018.
  5. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 260. George Hudson (entomologist).
  6. . Alastair Freeman . 1993. A report on a visit to North Brother Island, Cook Strait, 6-11 February 1993. . 10182/4172. Lincoln University. 6 .
  7. Book: Patrick, Brian. Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera.. Dugdale. John S.. Department of Conservation. 2000. 0478218672. Wellington, New Zealand. 28.
  8. Book: Hoare, R.J.B.. Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015. Dugdale. J.S.. Edwards. E.D.. Gibbs. G.W.. Patrick. B.H.. Hitchmough. R.A.. Rolfe. J.R.. New Zealand Department of Conservation. 2017. 9781988514383. Wellington, New Zealand. 5.

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