Eudonia aspidota

Eudonia aspidota is a moth in the family Crambidae. It is found in New Zealand.

Eudonia aspidota
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Crambidae
Genus:
Eudonia
Species:
E. aspidota
Binomial name
Eudonia aspidota
(Meyrick, 1884)
Synonyms
  • Xeroscopa aspidota Meyrick, 1884
  • Scoparia aspidota (Meyrick, 1884)

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1884 and named Xeroscopa aspidota.[1][2] Meyrick added further detail when he described the species later in 1884.[3] In 1913 Meyrick placed the species within the genus Scoparia.[4]

Description

The wingspan is 22–26 mm. The forewings are light ochreous, sometimes mixed with reddish-ochreous. There is a black white-margined triangular spot on the costa. The hindwings are pale grey with a darker grey post medial and hind marginal line.[3]

Although the wing markings of this species attract attention, they also imitate bird droppings.[5] This mimicry offers protection to E. aspidota when it is not in flight.

Distribution

E. aspidota is endemic in New Zealand.[6] Meyrick stated it could be found in Wellington, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin and Lake Wakatipu.[3] George Hudson added to the localities where E. aspidota could be found and included Raurimu, Waimarino, Buller River, Invercargill and Stewart Island.[5] Hudson was of the opinion that the species was probably distributed throughout New Zealand.[5]

Ecology and habitat

The habitat of this species is amongst forest.[5]

Host plants

The larvae of this species lives on mosses.[7]

Occurrence

Adults of E. aspidota are normally present during December and January.[3] This species is attracted to light.[5]

gollark: January THIS year? That seems wrong. It's the same calendar year as when you do A levels I'm pretty sure.
gollark: Hmm, so the application deadline is January but your school might require stuff earlier.
gollark: There are online ones.
gollark: Open days? Yes. Except not now because COVID-19.
gollark: You could look at the UCAS website. It's the application system for basically all UK university stuff and there's some info there.

References
  1. Meyrick, Edward (1884). "Descriptions of New Zealand Microlepidoptera. IV. Scopariadae". New Zealand Journal of Science. 2: 235–237 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  2. Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 458. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
  3. Meyrick, E. (1884). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 17: 68–149 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. Meyrick, E. (1913). "A revision of New Zealand Pyralidina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 45: 30–51 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. pp. 201–202.
  6. "Eudonia aspidota (Meyrick, 1884)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  7. Patrick, Hamish J.H.; Bowie, Mike H.; Fox, Barry W.; Patrick, Brian H. (2011). "The moths of Quail Island (Ōtamahua): a faunal comparison of an island under restoration with other sites on Banks Peninsula" (PDF). New Zealand Natural Sciences. 36: 57–72.


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