Hierodoris huia

Hierodoris huia is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

Hierodoris huia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Oecophoridae
Genus:
Hierodoris
Species:
H. huia
Binomial name
Hierodoris huia
Hoare, 2005[1]

Taxonomy and etymology

This species was first described by Robert R. J. Hoare in 2005.[2] The species was first discovered by C. R. Thomas in January 1953.[2] The holotype specimen was collected at Titirangi by P. A. Maddison on 28 January 1980.[2] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[2] Prior to its formal scientific description this species was referred to as Coridomorpha 'long palpi'.[2] The epithet is in honour the extinct bird species, the huia, as well as the type locality of Huia Road, Titirangi.[2]

Description

H. huia can be identified by the minute segment 3 of the labial palp, the white subapical patch on the antenna and the metallic patches of curled scales on the forewing.[2] These features are all unique to this species.[2] This species is also sexually dimorphic with the female of the species having much longer labial palpi than the male.[2]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][3] It is only known from two sites in Titirangi that are approximately 1 to 2 km apart.[4]

Biology and behaviour

Little is known of the biology of this species.[2] Larvae have yet to be discovered.[2] This species is on the wing in January.[2] Although the adult moths are attracted to light it has been hypothesised that they are a diurnal species on the basis of their behaviour when light trapped.[2]

Host species and habitat

The host species for the larvae of this moth is currently unknown.[2] Both sites where this species has been found are close to forest habitat.[5] H. huia is suspected to be a forest canopy-dweller.[2]

Conservation Status

This species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[6]

References
  1. "Hierodoris huia Hoare, 2005". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  2. Hoare, Robert J. B. (2005). "Hierodoris (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), and overview of Oecophoridae" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 54: 1–102. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  3. 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. 462. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
  4. "NZTCS Lepidoptera Spreadsheet". www.doc.govt.nz. 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  5. Patrick, B. H.; Dugdale., J. S. (2000). "Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera" (PDF). Science for Conservation. 136: 23. ISBN 0478218672. ISSN 1173-2946. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2018-06-01 – via Department of Conservation.
  6. Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). "Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 8.


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