Rhathamictis nocturna is a moth of the Psychidae family.[2] This species was described by Charles Edwin Clarke in 1926. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the Auckland region. Larvae of this species build small protective cases in which they hide and from which they feed. Adults have been observed on the wing in November and January.
| Rhathamictis nocturna | |
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| Living specimen | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Psychidae |
| Genus: | Rhathamictis |
| Species: | R. nocturna
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhathamictis nocturna (Clarke, 1926)[1]
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Taxonomy edit
This species was first described by Charles E. Clarke in 1926 using specimens collected at Kauri Gully, Auckland in January and named Mallobathra nocturna.[3] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Rhathamictis.[4] The male holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.[4]
Description edit
Clarke described the species as follows:
♂. 8 mm. Head, palpi, and antennae fuscous. Antennal ciliations 2.- Thorax and legs fuscous. Abdomen light fuscous. Forewings elongateoval, costa arched, apex rounded, hind-margin rather rounded; dark fuscous : cilia dark fuscous. Hindwings fuscous : cilia fuscous.[3]
R. nocturna can be distinguished from its sister species R. perspersa as it is smaller and lacks the distinct yellowish forewing speckling of the latter species.[5]
Distribution edit
R. nocturna is endemic to New Zealand and have been observed in the Auckland region.[1][3]
Behaviour edit
Larvae of this species build small protective cases in which they hide and from which they feed.[6] Adults of this species have been observed on the wing in November and January.[3][5]
Collecting specimens edit
Clarke stated that he collected the type specimen during the day by beating brushwood. He also explained that he subsequently collected this species in the early morning when the air was extremely moist.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Rhathamictis nocturna (Clarke, 1926)". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
- ^ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 463. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
- ^ a b c d Charles Edwin Clarke (12 July 1926). "New species of Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 56: 421. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q63101109.
- ^ a b John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 69. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
- ^ a b dr_robert (2020-11-20). "Rhathamictis nocturna". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
- ^ "Breeding bag moths in captivity". Otago Daily Times. 23 July 2018. p. 11. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Charles E. Clarke (February 1933). "The Lepidoptera of the Te Anau-Manapouri Lakes Districts". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 63 (2): 115. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q62934927.