Batrachedra filicicola, also known as the ring fern spore-eater, is a species of moth of the family Batrachedridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the North Island. The larvae of this species feed on the spores of the silver fern. Adults are on the wing in November and December. This species is attracted to light and has also been collected in the day by sweeping silver fern fonds.
| Batrachedra filicicola | |
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Batrachedridae |
| Genus: | Batrachedra |
| Species: | B. filicicola
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| Binomial name | |
| Batrachedra filicicola | |
Taxonomy
editThis species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1917 using material collected by George Hudson at Karori on tree-ferns in November.[2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[3] The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[4]
Description
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The mature larva of this species is small and white coloured and grows up to 5 mm long.[5]
Meyrick described the male adult of this species as follows:
♂︎. 8 mm. Head and thorax bronzy-whitish. Palpi with appressed scales, whitish, with faint greyish marks at apex of second joint, and base and apex of terminal joint. Abdomen grey. Forewings narrow-lanceolate, apex narrowly produced ; violet-grey, becoming darker posteriorly, produced apex blackish : cilia grey, base round apical third of wing paler and sprinkled with blackish, sometimes forming indistinct dots, at apex with a short black subbasal bar. Hindwings violet-grey ; cilia grey.[2]
Distribution
editB. filicicola is endemic to New Zealand.[1][6] It has been collected in Wellington and in the Hawkes Bay.[2][7]
Biology and behaviour
editThis species is on the wing in November and December.[3][5] This species is attracted to light.[7] It has been collected in sunshine by sweeping the fonds of its host the silver fern.[3] It is a fast runner and makes short, rapid flights.[3] Adults have been collected by sweeping its larval hosts.[3]
Host species
editThe larva of this moth feed on the spores of Cyathea dealbata and on Paesia scabrula.[8][5]
References
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- ^ a b Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 457. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
- ^ a b c Meyrick, Edward (1917). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 49: 245–247. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 304. OCLC 25449322.
- ^ Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–264. ISBN 0-477-02518-8. ISSN 0111-5383. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2017 – via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
- ^ a b c Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. p. 22. ISBN 0-14-301924-4. Wikidata Q115211440.
- ^ "Batrachedra filicicola Meyrick, 1917". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ a b Davies, T.H. (1973). "List of Lepidoptera collected in areas surrounding Hastings and Napier". New Zealand Entomologist. 5 (2): 204–216. doi:10.1080/00779962.1973.9723002.
- ^ "PlantSynz - Invertebrate herbivore biodiversity assessment tool: Database". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 9 June 2018.