Biology:Eudonia aspidota

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Short description: Species of moth

Eudonia aspidota
Eudonia aspidota female.jpg
Female
Eudonia aspidota male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
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Genus:
Species:
E. aspidota
Binomial name
Eudonia aspidota
(Meyrick, 1884)
Synonyms
  • Xeroscopa aspidota Meyrick, 1884
  • (Meyrick, 1884) Scoparia aspidota

Eudonia aspidota is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is found in New Zealand.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1884 and named Xeroscopa aspidota.[1][2] Meyrick added further detail when he described the species later in 1884.[3] In 1913 Meyrick placed the species within the genus Scoparia.[4]

Description

The wingspan is 22–26 mm. The forewings are light ochreous, sometimes mixed with reddish-ochreous. There is a black white-margined triangular spot on the costa. The hindwings are pale grey with a darker grey post medial and hind marginal line.[3]

Although the wing markings of this species attract attention, they also imitate bird droppings.[5] This mimicry offers protection to E. aspidota when it is not in flight.

Distribution

E. aspidota is endemic in New Zealand.[6] Meyrick stated it could be found in Wellington, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin and Lake Wakatipu.[3] George Hudson added to the localities where E. aspidota could be found and included Raurimu, Waimarino, Buller River, Invercargill and Stewart Island.[5] Hudson was of the opinion that the species was probably distributed throughout New Zealand.[5]

Ecology and habitat

The habitat of this species is amongst forest.[5]

Host plants

The larvae of this species lives on mosses.[7]

Occurrence

Adults of E. aspidota are normally present during December and January.[3] This species is attracted to light.[5]

References

  1. Meyrick, Edward (1884). "Descriptions of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. IV. Scopariadae." (in en). New Zealand Journal of Science 2: 235–237. https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/41863308. 
  2. , p. 458 , Wikidata Q45922947
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Meyrick, E. (1884). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera.". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 17: 68–149. https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/33934545. 
  4. Meyrick, E. (1913). "A revision of New Zealand Pyralidina." (in en). Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 45: 30–51. https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9975784. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. pp. 201–202. http://www.bugz.org.nz/WebForms/ResultDetails.aspx?CurrentDoc=C7E94865-492F-45DA-9777-CC8E1E8B1438&CurrentPage=519&searchType=1&StartChar=%ufffd. 
  6. "Eudonia aspidota (Meyrick, 1884)". Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. http://www.nzor.org.nz/names/dee1b1ec-0f12-42cb-ab39-70b71d438b05. 
  7. Patrick, Hamish J.H.; Bowie, Mike H.; Fox, Barry W.; Patrick, Brian H. (2011). "The moths of Quail Island (Ōtamahua): a faunal comparison of an island under restoration with other sites on Banks Peninsula.". New Zealand Natural Sciences 36: 57–72. http://www.science.canterbury.ac.nz/nzns/issues/vol36-2011/patrick.pdf. Retrieved 2017-12-17. 

Wikidata ☰ Q13618174 entry