Biology:Dumbletonius characterifer

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Short description: Species of moth

Dumbletonius characterifer
Dumbletonius charactifer female.jpg
Female specimen
Dumbletonius charactifer male.jpg
Male specimen
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hepialidae
Genus: Dumbletonius
Species:
D. characterifer
Binomial name
Dumbletonius characterifer
(Walker, 1865)
Synonyms
  • Buller, 1873 Walker, 1865
  • Oxycanus impletus Hepialus characterifer
  • Walker, 1865 Porina mairi

Dumbletonius characterifer is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand.[2] It was first described by Francis Walker in 1865.[3]

The wingspan is 56–70 mm (2.2–2.8 in) for males and 72–95 mm (2.8–3.7 in) for females. There is a complex ocellate pattern with bicoloured scales on the forewings. The hindwings are dark brown. Adults are on wing from November to April.[4] D. characterifer is present in the Waikato, Taupo, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough and Marlborough Sounds, Buller and Westland regions.[4]

The larvae feed on leaf litter.[citation needed] They built tunnels in the leaf litter from which they feed.[5]

The northern most location this species has been observed at is Mount Te Aroha.[5] This species has been known to be infected by Ophiocordyceps robertsii, the vegetable caterpillar fungus.[5]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q5313727 entry