Asaphodes chlamydota

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 as Epyaxa chlamydota.[4] Later in 1884 Meyrick gave a more detailed description of the newly named species.[5] George Hudson further discussed the species in his 1898 volume New Zealand Moths and Butterflies and referred to it as Xanthorhoe chlamydota.[6] Hudson again discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand.[7] In 1939 Louis Beethoven Prout placed this species in the genus Larentia.[8] This placement was not accepted by New Zealand taxonomists.[9] In 1971 John S. Dugdale assigned this species to the genus Asaphodes.[10] Although Dugdale confirmed this placement in 1988 he mentions the possibility that this species might not fall within the genus Asaphodes.[2] The male lectotype, collected at Akaroa, is held at the Canterbury Museum.[2]

Illustration of a female A. chlamydota by George Hudson.

Hudson described the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about 1+1⁄4 inches. The fore-wings are pale ochreous; with two broad, dark, purplish-brown bands. The first, which is at the base, is slightly paler near the body, and strongly curved outwards towards the termen; it is followed by several very line pale brown transverse lines. The second band is broad, and is situated near the middle of the wing; its inner edge is curved inwards, and its outer edge has two rounded projections, one very large about the middle, and another much smaller near the dorsum; the middle portion of this central hand is considerably paler than the edges; the two projects of the central band are boarded with bright red. The upper part of the termen is ochreous, with several faint brown marks; the lower part is dull grey. The hind-wings are dark ochreous, with a few obscure purplish-grey markings; the termen of the hind-wing projects slightly near the middle, and is rather jagged.[6]

A. chlamydota is endemic to New Zealand.[1] It can be found in the lower North Island and the South Island. Meyrick stated this species was present in Wellington, Christchurch and Akaroa,[5] and Hudson mentioned the species is present in the Wellington Botanic Garden.[6] Specimens of this species have been collected in the mid Canterbury.[2] A. chlamydota was also found to be present in the Dansey ecological district in Otago.[11]

Observation of live A. chlamydota.

The habitat of this species is amongst forest[6] and shrubland.[12][13] It has been found at altitudes of below 500 m.[11]

Host plants

Clematis afoliata, larval host species.

A. chlamydota larvae feed on plants within the genus Clematis including Clematis afoliata and Clematis marata.[14][15]

Flight patterns

A. chlamyota adults are regarded as having intermediate flight powers and remain active during light breezes.[13]

Adult A. chlamydota are regarded as normally being present during the months of November to April.[6] However specimens have also been collected in October.[11]