Schiffermuelleria orthophanes
Species of moth From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Species of moth From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| Schiffermuelleria orthophanes | |
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| Species: | S. orthophanes |
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| Schiffermuelleria orthophanes | |
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In 1905 Edward Meyrick described this species and named it Compsistis orthophanes.[4] He used specimens he collected in Nelson and Auckland in December and January.[4] The type specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[3] Meyrick subsequently placed it within the European genus Schiffermuelleria with George Vernon Hudson discussing the species under this name in 1928.[5] This endemic New Zealand species likely belongs to a separate genus.[6] 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.[6] As such the species is currently also known as Schiffermuelleria (s.l.) orthophanes.[2]
Meyrick described the species as follows:
9-10 mm. Head, antennae, and thorax dark bronzy-fuscous. Palpi rather dark fuscous, internally whitish-ochreous, terminal joint as long as second. Abdomen dark fuscous, apex whitish-ochreous. Fore-wings elongate, narrow, costa gently arched, apex round-pointed, termen very obliquely rounded; fuscous, slightly purplish-tinged, irrorated with dark fuscous and blackish; a straight rather narrow fascia at 1⁄4, a small spot in middle of disc, and opposite subcostal and subdorsal spots at 3⁄4 pale ochreous-yellow, irregular-edged : cilia fuscous, mixed with dark fuscous towards base. Hind-wings dark fuscous; cilia fuscous, with dark fuscous basal shade.[4]
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[2] It has been collected in Auckland,[4] Waimarino,[7] Wellington, North Brother Island, Stephens Island, Nelson, and Southland.[8]
Little is known of the biology of this species.[8] It has been hypothesised that larvae may subsist on litter or twigs.[8] The adult moths appear from September to March.[7] Hudson noted that, although previously regarded as rare, in the years surrounding 1928 the species had become more common.[7] Earlier records indicate the species inhabited modified and suburban localities.[5][7]
In 2017 this moth was classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Nationally Critical and data poor.[1]
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