Musotima aduncalis, also known as the maidenhair fairy moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae.[1] It was described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875.[2] This species is endemic to New Zealand.[3][4]

Musotima aduncalis
Male
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Musotima
Species:
M. aduncalis
Binomial name
Musotima aduncalis
Synonyms
  • Diathrausta aduncalis C. Felder, R. Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875

Description

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The larvae are green in colour with a dark head.[5] Adults are variable in colour, ranging from white to ochreous yellow.[6]

Behaviour

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The larvae can be found on the underside of the fern fronds and create clear window like patches when consuming their host.[5] The adult moth is on the wing from October to February.[5]

Hosts

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The larvae feed on Adiantum species.[7][5]

References

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  1. ^ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 457. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
  2. ^ Felder, Cajetan; Rogenhofer, Alois Friedrich (1864–1867). "Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara". Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. Von W. pt.9:Bd.2:Abt.2 (1864-1867) Atlas: Plate CXXXV fig 11 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. ^ "Musotima aduncalis (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
  4. ^ "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
  5. ^ a b c d Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. p. 14. ISBN 0-14-301924-4. Wikidata Q115211440.
  6. ^ Meyrick, E. (1884). "On the classification of the Australian Pyralidina". Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. 1884: 277–350. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1884.tb01610.x – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  7. ^ Alma Solis, M.; Davis, Donald R.; Nishida, Kenji (September 2005). "Life history and systematics of Albusambia elaphoglossumae (Lepidoptera:Crambidae): A new genus and species of musotimine with leaf-mining biology from Costa Rica". Revista de Biología Tropical. 53 (3–4): 487–501. ISSN 0034-7744. PMID 17354458.