This species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1898 using specimens collected by Richard William Fereday at Rakaia in Canterbury and given the name Agrotis ceropachoides.[2][3]George Hudson discussed this species under this name in his 1898 book New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera).[4] However Hudson's illustration of the species in that volume is mistakenly labelled Agrotis carapachoides.[5] In 1903 George Hampson placed this species within the genus Euxoa.[6] Hudson followed this placement when he discussed and illustrated the species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[7] In 1988 John S. Dugdale, in his catalogue of all New Zealand Lepidoptera, also followed this placement but discussed the species under the name Euxoa cerapachoides, misspelling the species epithet.[8][3] The appropriate genus for this species is still under debate as some experts disagree with Hampson's placement and believe the original genus is appropriate.[3] However, at present, the name currently used to refer to this species is E. ceropachoides.[9][10] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[8][3]
Description
The larvae of this species are brown-grey in colour with a broad lateral white band.[3] They grow to a length of 35mm.[3]
Guenée described this species as follows:
Superior wings somewhat dark grey, but entirely covered with long sulphur-coloured or greenish scales which obliterate all markings save the large black dots on the hinder margin ; however, with attention, one is able to see traces of the reniform stigma, and it is possible that, in better marked individuals, the other markings would be visible ; the fringe is long, grey, with the extremity white : the inferior wings are uniformly grey, with the fringes likewise long, whitish, divided by a dark line : beneath, all the wings are greenish-grey, powdered with black atoms on the costa; the superior have in addition, under the costa near the middle, a vague median cellular blotch, and a black dot at the base of the bristle. The thorax is broad, quadrate, darker grey than the wings, like the head, without any line. Palpi very hairy ; the third joint thin, lost amid the hairs of the second. Antennae long, acute, and furnished with long ciliated laminae.[2]
When describing this species, Guenée used a dull grey colour morph for the holotype and Hudson used the same morph for his illustration in 1898.[3]E. ceropachoides is variable in colour and the dull grey colour morph makes up less than 10 percent of the males of the species.[3] The variability in colour has led E. ceropachoids specimens to be confused with the species Agrotis innominata.[3]
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][10] It can be found in Canterbury and, other than its type locality of Rakaia, has also been found at Kaitorete Spit.[3]
Biology and behaviour
The larvae of this species are nocturnal and feed at night.[3] During the day, they bury themselves in their sandy habitat.[3] They also pupate in cocoons at a shallow depth in the sand.[3] It has been hypothesised that the female of the species is short winged and flightless.[3] This species is a winter to early spring emerging species and the males are on the wing from June to mid September.[3] Adult male moths are attracted to light.[3]
Host species and habitat
The species prefers coastal sand dune habitat.[3] The larvae of E. ceropachoides feed on both native and exotic grasses and herbs including Calystegia soldanella.[3]
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