Plutella antiphona, also known as the diamondback moth, is a moth of the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1901.[1][2] It is endemic to New Zealand.
| Plutella antiphona | |
|---|---|
| |
| Female holotype | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Plutellidae |
| Genus: | Plutella |
| Species: | P. antiphona
|
| Binomial name | |
| Plutella antiphona Meyrick, 1901
| |
Description edit
This species is very similar in appearance to Plutella xylostella and can only be distinguished from that species either by examining the larvae, the pupae or the adult genitalia.[3] The diamond pattern on the forewings of this species is variable and can be blurred or faded.[3]
Distribution edit
It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country.[4][3]
Habitat and hosts edit
P. antiphona inhabit open areas including cultivated places like gardens.[3] Larvae of this species feed on plants in the Brassicaceae family.[3]
Behaviour edit
The larvae make a web of silk on the lower side of the leaves and produce see through windows in the leaf structure as they feed.[3] They pupate in a cocoon made of silk either on the ground or alternatively on their host plant.[3] Adults are on the wing throughout the year and are both day and night flying.[3] They are attracted to light.[3]
Interaction with humans edit
Although this species feeds on plants in the Brassicaceae family it is not regarded as a serious pest of agricultural crops.[3]
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 74–75. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Olivier Ball. Auckland. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-86966-399-5. OCLC 891672034.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Plutella antiphona Meyrick, 1901". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
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