Sarisa (moth)

Sarisa is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae described by David Stephen Fletcher in 1979. Its only species, Sarisa muriferata, described by Francis Walker in 1863, is endemic to New Zealand and surrounding islands.[3] It is widespread in the North and South Islands, and recorded from Stewart Island, Big South Cape Island, the Chatham Islands and the Auckland Islands.[4][5]

Sarisa
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Genus:
Sarisa

D. S. Fletcher, 1979[1]
Species:
S. muriferata
Binomial name
Sarisa muriferata
(Walker, 1863)
Synonyms[2]
  • Gargaphia muriferata Walker, 1863
  • Drepanodes muriferata (Walker 1863)
  • Panagra ephyraria Walker, 1863
  • Zanclopteryx cookaria Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875
  • Zanclopteryx haastaria Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875
  • Drepanodes neoselena Meyrick, 1909
  • Gargaphia neoselena (Meyrick, 1909)

Adults have functional mouthparts and are attracted to nectar sources. Evasive behaviour consists of dropping when disturbed or attacked and falling to the ground, with the wings held motionless. The shape and colouring of the wings contribute to a most effective dead leaf crypsis. There are probably two generations per year in the North and South Islands, with adults recorded from September to March. At the southern limit of its range there is probably one generation per year, flying during January and February.

The larvae have been recorded feeding on Microsorum pustulatum and Dicksonia fibrosa. They have also been observed feeding on the leaves and sori of Pyrrosia eleagnifolia.[6] Full-grown larvae are reddish brown with an interrupted black dorsal line containing five oblong yellowish-brown spots. The species overwinters in the pupal stage.

References
  1. Pitkin, Brian & Jenkins, Paul. "Search results Family: Geometridae". Butterflies and Moths of the World. Natural History Museum, London.
  2. Martin, N A. "Factsheet: Hook-tip fern looper - Sarisa muriferata". www.landcareresearch.co.nz. Manaaki Whenua. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  3. Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom Animalia: Chaetognatha, Ecdysozoa, Ichnofossils. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 458. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
  4. Fauna of New Zealand - Lithinini (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae)
  5. Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 169. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  6. Patrick, Brian H. (2015-07-01). "Leather-leaf fern's moth fauna". The Weta. 49: 23–27.


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