Dichromodes cynica

Dichromodes cynica
Female
Male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Dichromodes
Species:
D. cynica
Binomial name
Dichromodes cynica
Meyrick, 1911

Dichromodes cynica (also known as the rock face moth)[1] is a moth of the family Geometridae.[2] It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. D. cynica is endemic to New Zealand and is found only around Christchurch and Banks Peninsular. The larvae of D. cynica are cryptic in appearance and feed on lichens growing on dry sunny rock faces. Adults are on the wing from September to February. D. cynica are active during the day and are rapid fliers.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911 using a specimen collected by George Hudson at Lyttelton in November.[3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand.[4] The male holotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[5]

Description

D. cynica at Thomson Scenic Reserve.
Illustration of male by G. Hudson

The larvae of this species are cryptic, camouflaging themselves against their host species of lichens.[6][7]

Hudson described the larvae as follows:

The length of the larva was 1⁄2 inches. Blackish-grey, glacous-grey on sides; large dorsal spots on segments 6 to 9, small dorsal spots on segments 10 to 12, light grey. Body surface covered with minute tubercles and narrow transverse folds.[7]

Meyrick described this species as follows:

♂. 17mm. Head, palpi, thorax, and abdomen blackish-grey, slightly whitish-sprinkled, palpi 3 ½. Antennal pectinations 6. Forewings triangular, costa faintly sinuate, apex rounded-obtuse, termen obliquely rounded; dark grey sprinkled with black and grey-whitish, veins partially suffused with yellow-ochreous irroration; lines obscurely indicated by whitish irroration, irregular, first somewhat sinuate, indented below middle, edged posteriorly with black irroration becoming broad towards costa, second slightly prominent near costa and dorsum, and with a moderate bidentate prominence in middle, edged anteriorly with black irroration also becoming broad towards costa, subterminal hardly traceable; a small blackish transverse discal mark before second line: cilia dark grey, slightly sprinkled with black and whitish. Hindwings with termen rounded; dark fuscous; a fine indistinct grey-whitish curved post-median line, sinuate inwards in middle: cilia dark fuscous.[3]

This species is similar in appearance to D. sphaeriata but is smaller.[8]

Distribution

It is endemic to New Zealand.[9] This species is found only around Christchurch and the Banks Peninsular. As well as the type locality, this species has also been observed at Mount Grey.[4]

Behaviour

The larvae of D. cynica feed on lichens growing on dry sunny rock faces.[6] The adults of this species are on the wing from September to February.[10] This species is active during the day and flies rapidly.[4][6]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dichromodes cynica.
  1. ^ Scott Hooson (19 January 2015). Christchurch District Plan Site of Ecological Significance: Oashore (PDF) (Report). Christchurch City Council. pp. 1–17. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  2. ^ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 460. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
  3. ^ a b E. Meyrick (1 July 1911). "Notes and Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 43: 60. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q58200989.
  4. ^ a b c Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 134, LCCN 88133764, OCLC 25449322, Wikidata Q58593286
  5. ^ Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 191. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
  6. ^ a b c "SUMNER ROAD RE-OPENING PROJECT ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: - ECOLOGY". Environment Canterbury. January 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  7. ^ a b George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 412, OCLC 9742724, Wikidata Q109420935
  8. ^ Patrick, Brian (2020-09-15). "Dichromodes cynica". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  9. ^ "Dichromodes cynica Meyrick, 1911". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  10. ^ "Dichromodes cynica". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-04-11.