Helastia mutabilis

Helastia mutabilis
Male
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Helastia
Species:
H. mutabilis
Binomial name
Helastia mutabilis
Craw, 1987[1]

Helastia mutabilis is a species of moth of the family Geometridae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest at lower altitudes and its larval host are moss species in the genus Racomitrium. This species is nocturnal and is attracted to light. It can easily be confused with the similar in appearance species Helastia alba and Helastia cinerearia.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Robin C. Craw in 1987 using specimens collected in Riwaka by Alfred Philpott.[2] The male holotype is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[3]

Description

Male holotype of H. mutabilis

This species was described by Craw as follows:

Small to medium sized (9.5-13.1 mm) triangular forewing. Upperside forewing colouration brownish white to grey with brown to dark brown wavy transverse lines. Male antennae bipectinated.[2]

This species is similar in appearance to and can be easily confused with H. alba and H. cinerearia. The most reliable way to distinguish between these species is via the examination of their genitalia.[2]

Distribution

H. mutabilis is endemic to New Zealand.[1][4] It can be found in both the North and South Islands.[2]

Behaviour

This species is nocturnal and is attracted to light.[5]

Habitat and hosts

H. mutabilis is associated with lower altitude forests of Nothofagus and podocarp species.[2] The larvae of this species have been observed in November feeding on moss species of the genus Racomitrium.[6]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Helastia mutabilis.
  1. ^ a b c Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 459. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
  2. ^ a b c d e R. C. Craw (April 1987). "Revision of the genus Helastia sensu stricto with description of a new genus (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 14 (2): 269–293. doi:10.1080/03014223.1987.10422997. ISSN 0301-4223. Wikidata Q54670161.
  3. ^ 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: 181. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
  4. ^ "Helastia mutabilis Craw, 1987". NZOR. 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  5. ^ Carey Knox (2024). Butterflies & Moths of Aotearoa New Zealand. John Beaufoy Publishing. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-913679-66-8. Wikidata Q130640046.
  6. ^ Brian H. Patrick (1992). "Taieri Gorge rock face Lepidoptera". The Wētā. 15: 13–15. ISSN 0111-7696. Wikidata Q131403566.