Euxoa ceropachoides, commonly known as Fereday's cutworm, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.
| Euxoa ceropachoides | |
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| Illustration of holotype specimen | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Euxoa |
| Species: | E. ceropachoides
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| Binomial name | |
| Euxoa ceropachoides | |
| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy edit
This species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1898 using specimens collected by Richard William Fereday at Rakaia in Canterbury and given the name Agrotis ceropachoides.[2][3] George Hudson discussed this species under this name in his 1898 book New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera).[4] However Hudson's illustration of the species in that volume is mistakenly labelled Agrotis carapachoides.[5] In 1903 George Hampson placed this species within the genus Euxoa.[6] Hudson followed this placement when he discussed and illustrated the species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[7] In 1988 John S. Dugdale, in his catalogue of all New Zealand Lepidoptera, also followed this placement but discussed the species under the name Euxoa cerapachoides, misspelling the species epithet.[8][3] The appropriate genus for this species is still under debate as some experts disagree with Hampson's placement and believe the original genus is appropriate.[3] However, at present, the name currently used to refer to this species is E. ceropachoides.[9][10] The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[8][3]
Description edit
The larvae of this species are brown-grey in colour with a broad lateral white band.[3] They grow to a length of 35mm.[3]
Guenée described this species as follows:
Superior wings somewhat dark grey, but entirely covered with long sulphur-coloured or greenish scales which obliterate all markings save the large black dots on the hinder margin ; however, with attention, one is able to see traces of the reniform stigma, and it is possible that, in better marked individuals, the other markings would be visible ; the fringe is long, grey, with the extremity white : the inferior wings are uniformly grey, with the fringes likewise long, whitish, divided by a dark line : beneath, all the wings are greenish-grey, powdered with black atoms on the costa; the superior have in addition, under the costa near the middle, a vague median cellular blotch, and a black dot at the base of the bristle. The thorax is broad, quadrate, darker grey than the wings, like the head, without any line. Palpi very hairy ; the third joint thin, lost amid the hairs of the second. Antennae long, acute, and furnished with long ciliated laminae.[2]
When describing this species Guenée used a dull grey colour morph for the holotype and Hudson used the same morph for his illustration in 1898.[3] E. ceropachoides is variable in colour and the dull grey colour morph makes up less than 10 percent of the males of the species.[3] The variability in colour has led E. ceropachoids specimens to be confused with the species Agrotis innominata.[3]
Distribution edit
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][10] It can be found in Canterbury and, other than its type locality of Rakaia, has also been found at Kaitorete Spit.[3]
Biology and behaviour edit
The larvae of this species are nocturnal and feed at night.[3] During the day they bury themselves in their sandy habitat.[3] They also pupate in cocoons at a shallow depth in the sand.[3] It has been hypothesised that the female of the species is short winged and flightless.[3] This species is a winter to early spring emerging species and the males are on the wing from June to mid September.[3] Adult male moths are attracted to light.[3]
Host species and habitat edit
The species prefers coastal sand dune habitat.[3] The larvae of E. ceropachoides feed on both native and exotic grasses and herbs including Calystegia soldanella.[3]
Conservation status edit
This species has been classified as having the "Not Threatened" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b "Euxoa ceropachoides (Guenee, 1868)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ a b Guenée, Achille (1868). "New species &c, of heterocerous Lepidoptera from Canterbury, New Zealand collected by Mr R.W. Fereday". The Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. 5: 1–6, 38–43. 61–65, 92–95. ISSN 0013-8908 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Patrick, Brian (2013). "Investigation of a data deficient moth taxon: Agrotis ceropachoides". The Weta. 46: 28–37. Archived from the original on 2018-01-29. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
- ^ Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & co. p. 32. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7912. OCLC 727236768. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West, Newman & Co. pp. Plate VI. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7912. OCLC 727236768. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ Hampson, George Francis (1903). "Catalogue of the Noctuidae in the Collection of the British Museum". Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum. 4: 174 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 47. OCLC 25449322.
- ^ a b Dugdale, John S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 213. ISBN 0477025188. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-01-27. Retrieved 2018-05-28 – via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
- ^ 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). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 9.
- ^ a b Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 461. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.