Archyala opulenta is a species of moth of the family Tineidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the upper Maitai Valley in Nelson as well as in Northland. The larvae of this species are associated with endemic bat species as they feed on the guano of Mystacinidae. The adult moths are on the wing in November. It is classified as "Data Deficient" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System by the Department of Conservation.
| Archyala opulenta | |
|---|---|
| |
| Holotype specimen | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Tineidae |
| Genus: | Archyala |
| Species: | A. opulenta
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| Binomial name | |
| Archyala opulenta | |
Taxonomy
editThis species was described by Alfred Philpott in 1926 from specimens collected in the upper Maitai Valley in Nelson by E. S. Gourlay in November.[3] George Hudson, in 1928 discussed this species as a synonym of A. terranea.[4] However, in 1927 Philpott had shown a diagnostic difference between these two species when he illustrated the male genitalia of A. opulenta.[5][6] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[7]
Description
editPhilpott described this species as follows:
♂. 17–19 mm. Head and palpi ochreous mixed with fuscous. Antennae fuscous. Thorax dark fuscous mixed with ochreous. Abdomen dark greyish-fuscous. Legs fuscous mixed with ochreous. Forewings elongate, costa strongly arched, apex round-pointed, termen rounded, very oblique; ochreous; numerous dark purplish-fuscous outwardly-oblique interrupted strigae, most prominent on costa; a broader and more continuous one from 2⁄3 costa to 3⁄4 dorsum; a series of ochreous spots round termen: fringes fuscous mixed with ochreous. Hindwings fuscous with purplish-violet reflections: fringes dark fuscous.[3]
Distribution
edit
It is endemic to New Zealand.[2][8] This species has been found in Nelson and Northland.[9][10]
Biology and ecology
editThis species was first collected in the bush.[3] This species is a known associate of bat colonies as its larva feeds on the guano of Mystacinidae.[10][11] The adult moth is on the wing in November.[3]
Conservation status
editThis moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Data Deficient.[1]
References
edit
- ^ a b 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). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 5. ISBN 9781988514383.
- ^ a b "Archyala opulenta Philpott, 1926". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d Philpott, Alfred (1926). "New Zealand Lepidoptera: notes and descriptions". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 56: 387–399.
- ^ Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 341.
- ^ Philpott, Alfred (1927). "The male genitalia of the New Zealand Tineidae". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 58: 93–101.
- ^ Philpott, A. (1928). "Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 59: 481–490.
- ^ Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera-annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–264. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-01-27. Retrieved 2018-05-30 – via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
- ^ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 463. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
- ^ "NZTCS Lepidoptera". www.doc.govt.nz. 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ a b 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 2018-05-30 – via Department of Conservation.
- ^ Cox, P. D. (1988). "Record of Archyala terranea (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) on stored grain". New Zealand Entomologist. 11: 55–57. doi:10.1080/00779962.1988.9722537.