Gymnobathra rufopunctella

Gymnobathra rufopunctella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is in need of taxonomic revision and probably belongs to a separate genus. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation.

Gymnobathra rufopunctella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Oecophoridae
Genus: Gymnobathra
Species:
G. rufopunctella
Binomial name
Gymnobathra rufopunctella
Hudson, 1950

Taxonomy

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This species was first described and illustrated by George Hudson in 1950 using specimens collected by Hudson at Days Bay and Wilton's Bush in Wellington.[1][2] The lectotype is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa.[1] The genus level classification of this species is regarded as unsatisfactory.[3] It is believed that this species closely resembles some members of the Barea group of genera.[3] As a result, the species is currently also known as Gymnobathra (s.l.) rufopunctella.

Description

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Hudson described this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about 12 (13 mm.). The forewings are elongate-oblong, with the apex rounded and termen oblique.; deep bronzy-brown with very strong bluish-purple reflections; the whole surface is more or less sprinkled with lighter and darker scales; stigmata distinct, each formed of a small cluster of dark red scales intermixed with one or two black scales; there are very faint traces of similar clusters of scales near apex and tornus. The hindwings are bright golden-brown, heavily sprinkled with dark brown scales, especially towards apex. The cilia of all the wings are bronzy-brown, very faintly tipped with reddish.[2]

Distribution

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G. rufopunctella is endemic to New Zealand.[4][5] This species has been collected in Wellington.[1]

Biology and behaviour

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The adult moths are on the wing in November and December.[2] The species prefers forest habitat.[2]

Conservation status

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This species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–269. ISBN 0477025188. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Hudson, G. V. (1950). Fragments of New Zealand entomology. - a popular account of all New Zealand cicadas. The natural history of the New Zealand glow-worm. A second supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand and notes on many other native insects. Wellington: Ferbuson & Osborn Ltd. p. 107.
  3. ^ a b Hoare, Robert J. B. (2005). "Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 54: 1–102. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Gymnobathra rufopunctella Hudson, 1950". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-06-04.
  5. ^ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 462. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
  6. ^ 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). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 5.
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