Asaphodes adonis

Asaphodes adonis (also known as the exquisite carpet moth) is a species of moth in the family Geometridae.[2] It is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.[1][3]

Asaphodes adonis
Male
Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Hexapoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Genus:
Asaphodes
Species:
A. adonis
Binomial name
Asaphodes adonis
(Hudson, 1898)[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Xanthorhoe adonis Hudson, 1898

Taxonomy

This species was first described by George Vernon Hudson in 1898 under the name Xanthorhoe adonis.[4]

Description

A. adonis has vivid green forewings with dark coloured broad wavy lines edged with white which form a distinctive pattern.[4] The hind wings are a pale orange shaded brown.[4] This species can be distinguished from its close relative Asaphodes beata by the colour of its hind wings.[5]

Distribution and habitat

A. adonis have been observed at Castle Hill and Lake Wakatipu,[4] Lake Harris track,[6] Bold Peak in Otago,[7] Mt Aspiring Station,[8] and in the Te Anau Ecological District.[9]

This species is regarded as uncommon and is found in forest in the South Island at altitudes of between 300 and 1200 metres.[4][7] It can be found during the day resting on tree trunks, camouflaged against similar coloured lichen growth.[10]

Life cycle

Adults are on the wing in January and February.[4][7]

Host plant

Larvae of A. adonis have been reared on species of Ranunculus.[11]

References
  1. "NZOR Name Details - Asaphodes adonis (Hudson, 1898)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 171. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  3. Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. 2. p. 458. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
  4. Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & Co. p. 63. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7912 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. Meyrick, E (1908). "Notes and descriptions of New Zealand lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 41: 6 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. Hudson, G. V. (1906). "On entomology of the Routeburn Valley". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 39: 202 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  7. Hamilton, H. (1911). "Notes on entomological collecting tours during the seasons 1908-1909 and 1909-1910". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 43: 123 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  8. Mt Aspiring Station Conservation Resources Report Part 1 (Report). Department of Conservation. November 2005. p. 34. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  9. Mcrea, Amber (12 April 2016). "Asaphodes adonis Observed by amber_mcrae February 2, 2016". NaturewatchNZ. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  10. Crowe, Andrew (2017). Which New Zealand insect?. Penguin Books. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-14-100636-9.
  11. Patrick, Brian (April 2000). "Conservation status of two rare New Zealand Geometrid moths" (PDF). Science for Conservation. 45: 1–21. ISSN 1173-2946. Retrieved 10 February 2017.


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