Zelleria sphenota explained

Zelleria sphenota is a species of moth in the family Yponomeutidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Declining'" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889 and named Hofmannia sphenota.^{[1] [2]} Meyrick used a specimen he collected from Riccarton Bush in August.^[3] George Hudson discussed the species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand using the name Zelleria sphenota.^[4] The holotype specimen of this species is held at the Natural History Museum, London. The genus level classification of this moth is currently regarded as unsatisfactory. As such the species is also known as Zelleria (s.l.) sphenota.

Description

The larvae of this species are green in colour.

Meyrick described the male adult of the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.^{[5] [6]} This species has occurred in Taupō, Nelson, Marlborough Sounds, Mid Canterbury and Southland. However it is likely extinct in the North Island.

Behaviour and life cycle

Initially the larvae of this species are leaf miners but as they mature they mine the stems of their host plants, finally moving on to consuming the leaves and flowers. They prepare for pupation by forming a white silk cocoon that is normally attached to the stem of their host plant. This stage can last as little as ten days. Adults emerge between the months of August and February.

Host plants

The host plants of this species are native leafy mistletoe.^[7] These include the species Ileostylus micranthus, Peraxilla colensoi and P. tetrapetala.^{[8] [9]}

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Declining".^[10] This is as a result of the decline of its host species brought about through the browsing of possums.

Notes and References

1. Meyrick. Edward. 1889. Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. en. 21. 154–188. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
2. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera-annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa.. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 1–264. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
3. Book: Patrick, Brian. Conservation status of the New Zealand lepidoptera. Dugdale. John S.. 2000. Department of Conservation, New Zealand. 978-0478218671. Wellington, N.Z.. 33. 154670803.
4. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 321. George Hudson (entomologist).
5. Web site: Zelleria sphenota (Meyrick, 1889). Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 15 May 2018.
6. 465.
7. Bach. Catherine E.. Kelly. Dave. 2004. Effects of forest edges on herbivory in a New Zealand mistletoe, Alepis flavida.. New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 28. 2. 195–205.
8. Sullivan. Jon J.. Burrows. Colin J.. Dugdale. John S.. Insect predation of seeds of native New Zealand woody plants in some central South Island localities. New Zealand Journal of Botany. September 1995. 33. 3. 355–364. 10.1080/0028825X.1995.10412962. free.
9. Book: New Zealand's loranthaceous mistletoes : proceedings of a workshop hosted by Threatened Species Unit, Department of Conservation, Cass, 17 -20 July 1995. Department of Conservation . De Lange, Peter J. . Norton, David A. . 1997. 978-0478019063. Wellington, N.Z.. 154315406.
10. 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. 7.