|
Dumbletonius characterifer
Dumbletonius characterifer is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand.[2] It was first described by Francis Walker in 1865.[3] The wingspan is 56–70 mm (2.2–2.8 in) for males and 72–95 mm (2.8–3.7 in) for females. There is a complex ocellate pattern with bicoloured scales on the forewings. The hindwings are dark brown. Adults are on wing from November to April.[4] D. characterifer is present in the Waikato, Taupo, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough and Marlborough Sounds, Buller and Westland regions.[4] The larvae feed on leaf litter.[citation needed] They built tunnels in the leaf litter from which they feed.[5] The northern most location this species has been observed at is Mount Te Aroha.[5] This species has been known to be infected by Ophiocordyceps robertsii, the vegetable caterpillar fungus.[5] References Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dumbletonius characterifer.  Wikispecies has information related to Dumbletonius characterifer.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
