Pyrausta comastis is a moth in the family Crambidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as "nationally vulnerable" by the Department of Conservation.
| Pyrausta comastis | |
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Crambidae |
| Genus: | Pyrausta |
| Species: | P. comastis
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| Binomial name | |
| Pyrausta comastis (Meyrick, 1884)
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| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy edit
It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1884 and given the name Proteroeca comastis.[1] In 1892 William Warren also described the same species but thinking it new gave it the name Ennychia intrudens.[2] This name was subsequently synonymised by Michael Shaffer.[3] George Vernon Hudson also gave a description and illustration of the species under the name Proteroeca comastis in 1928.[4] In 1988 John S. Dugdale listed the species under the genus Loxostege.[3] However the correct binomial nomenclature for this species is Pyrausta comastis.[5][6]
Description edit
This species was described by Meyrick as follows:
♂︎,♀︎, 11 — 13 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, and abdomen brownish ochreous, more or less irrorated coarsely with blackish; palpi white beneath. Legs ochreous-whitish, anterior and middle tibiae irrorated with blackish above. Fore wings elongate-triangular, costa sinuate, slightly arched posteriorly, apex round-pointed, hind margin very obliquely rounded ; ochreous-whitish, suffused with reddish ochreous except in disc ; generally a dense blackish irroration (especially in male) forming a basal patch and broad fasciae following first and second lines, the last fascia separated from second line on costa by a pale spot ; lines blackish, rather thick ; first at one-third, slightly curved ; second from three-fourths of costa to three-fifths of inner margin, sinuate inwards below middle ; an irregular dark fuscous discal spot ; cilia ochreous-whitish, base more ochreous, with two dark grey lines, first interrupted. Hind wings ochreous-orange, with some scattered black scales anteriorly ; a blackish line beyond middle, sinuate inwards below costa, angulated below middle ; a blackish hind-marginal band, very narrow on lower half, gradually dilated on upper half ; cilia grey-whitish, basal half blackish.[1]
Distribution edit
P. comastis is endemic to New Zealand.[5] It can be found in the South Island.[6] Meyrick stated that the species could be found at Castle Hill and Christchurch.[7] Hudson added to the locality list and included Lake Rotoiti, Wedderburn and New River, near Invercargill.[4] Philpott collected the species at Red Lake in the Mount Cook district.[8] It has also been collected in the Dansey ecological district in Otago.[9] It is present at higher elevations.[6]
Life cycle and behaviour edit
This species life history is unknown.[6] Adults have been recorded on wing in December[9] and in January.[7]
Habitat edit
This species has been collected in dry grassy areas[7] and damp open habitats.[6]
Conservation status edit
This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "nationally vulnerable".[10]
References edit
- ^ a b c Meyrick, E. (1884). "On the classification of the Australian Pyralidina". Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London. 32 (3): 277–350. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1884.tb01610.x. ISSN 1365-2311 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Warren, William (1892). "Descriptions of new genera and species of Pyralidae contained in the British-Museum collection". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History. ser.6:v.9=no.49-54 (50): 172–179. doi:10.1080/00222939208677297. ISSN 0374-5481. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ a b Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 153. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ a b Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 182.
- ^ a b "Pyrausta comastis Meyrick, 1884". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Hoare, R.J.B. "Introduction to Pyraloidea families and subfamilies of New Zealand". www.landcareresearch.co.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Meyrick, Edward (1885). "On the classification of the Australian Pyralidina". Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. 33 (4): 421–456. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1885.tb00895.x. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ Philpott, Alfred (1930). "Lepidoptera of Mount Cook District, with description of new species". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 61: 419–440.
- ^ a b Patrick, B.H. (1991). Insects of the Dansey ecological district (PDF). Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Conservation, New Zealand. ISBN 0-478-01285-3. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
- ^ Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015 (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 7. ISBN 9781988514383.
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