Mnesarchella philpotti is a species of primitive moths in the family Mnesarchaeidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only be found in Fiordland. This species can be distinguished from its close relatives in the genus Mnesarchella as the patterns present on its forewing are different as is the male genitalia of this species. This species lives in southern beech forest and shrubland, where periphyton is plentiful, in the subalpine zone at altitudes of between 380 and 800 m. Adults of this species are on the wing in December.
| Mnesarchella philpotti | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Mnesarchaeidae |
| Genus: | Mnesarchella |
| Species: | M. philpotti
|
| Binomial name | |
| Mnesarchella philpotti | |
Taxonomy edit
This species was first described by George William Gibbs in 2019.[1] Gibbs named the species in honour of Alfred Philpott.[1] The male holotype specimen was collected in the Percy Valley in Fiordland by Gibbs and is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[1]
Description edit
This species can be distinguished from its close relatives in the genus Mnesarchella as the patterns present on its forewings are different.[1] The brown markings present on the forewings of its close relatives are lacking in this species.[1] The male genitalia of M. philpotti is also distinctive.[1]
Distribution edit
M. philpotti is endemic to New Zealand.[2] This species is only found in Fiordland.[1]
Habitat edit
This species lives in southern beech forest and scrubland, where periphyton is plentiful, in the subalpine zone at altitudes of between 380 and 800 m.[1]
Behaviour edit
Adults of this species are on the wing in December.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j George W. Gibbs; Niels Peder Kristensen (28 May 2019). Mnesarchaeidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Hepialoidea) (PDF) (in English and Māori). Vol. 78. Lincoln: Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. pp. 1–105. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.78. ISBN 978-0-947525-60-6. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q104802925. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2021.
{{cite book}}:|journal=ignored (help) - ^ "Mnesarchella philpotti Gibbs, 2019". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 24 August 2021.