Xanthorhoe semifissata

Xanthorhoe semifissata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is native to New Zealand.

Xanthorhoe semifissata
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Xanthorhoe
Species:
X. semifissata
Binomial name
Xanthorhoe semifissata
(Walker, 1862)
Synonyms
  • Cohemia semifissata Walker, 1862
  • Larentia semifissata (Walker, 1862)
  • Helastia semifissata (Walker, 1862)

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 and named Cohemia semifissata. In 1939 Louis Beethoven Prout placed this species in the genus Larentia.[1] In 1971 J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Helastia.[2] The genus Helastia was restricted by Craw in 1987 placing this species into


Description

A small to medium-sized moth with a wing span 25–35 mm.

Distribution and habitat

Is found in both the South and North Island of New Zealand.[3]

Has been collected occasionally in Riccarton Bush, Christchurch.[4]

  • 1920–1945 Lindsay, Heighway and Tonnoir
  • 1980–1988 Muir and Dugdale

The habitat/foodplant for this moth is herbaceous plants. Gaskin noted eggs are laid on watercress (Nasturtium officinale).[5] White [6] listed Cardamine and stream Nasturtium as known larval foods.

Life cycle

Eggs

Eggs are pale green and hemispherical in shape.[5]

Larva
Xanthorhoe semifissata larva

The caterpillar is dark brown on its upper side and light brown below, When fully grown it is approximately 2.5 cm long.[5]

Adult

The adults have been collected in March, May, August and October in Riccarton Bush, Christchurch.[4] In montane grasslands at Cass, Arthurs Pass the moth was seen from November through to April.[6]

References
  1. Prout, L. B. (1939). "Geometridae: Fauna Indo-Australica". The Macrolepidoptera of the World. 12: 264 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  2. J. S. Dugdale (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae" (PDF). Pacific Insects Monographs. 27: 55–172. ISSN 0078-7515. Wikidata Q64006453.
  3. White, E G (2002). New Zealand Tussock Grassland Moths. Lincoln, New Zealand: Manaaki Whenua Press. p. 291.
  4. Molloy, Brian (1995). Riccarton Bush: Putaringamotu. Christchurch: The Riccarton Bush Trust. p. 227.
  5. Gaskin, D E (1966). The Butterflies and Common Moths of New Zealand. Christchurch: Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. p. 134.
  6. White, E G (1991). "The changing abundance of moths in a tussock grassland, 1962–1989, and 50- to 70- year trends". New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 15 (1): 5–22.

Media related to Xanthorhoe semifissata at Wikimedia Commons


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