Ctenarchis
Ctenarchis is a genus of moths of the family Carposinidae, containing only one species, Ctenarchis cramboides. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only known from Auckland and Northland. Adults have been observed from December to March and in July. The larval host is currently unknown. Adults are attracted to light. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Ctenarchis | |
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Male holotype | |
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Genus: | Ctenarchis Dugdale, 1995 |
Species: | C. cramboides |
Binomial name | |
Ctenarchis cramboides | |
Taxonomy
C. cramboides was first described by John S. Dugdale in 1995 using material collected by C. J. Green and himself at Spraggs Bush in the Waitākere Ranges on 9 March 1984.[3] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[3]
Etymology
The name Ctenarchis refers to the pectinate (comblike) antenna (kteinos is Greek for a comb and -"archis", a conventional carposinid suffix).[3]
Description
The wingspan is 35–40 mm for males and about 50 mm for females. The forewings are creamy white, with small sparse costal and subterminal maculations (spots) in brown, and two short longitudinal streaks, one basally on the costa. The head, thorax and abdomen are creamy white and the labial palpi are dark brown laterally. The hindwings are grey-buff, although darker brown-grey in females.[3]
C. cramboides can be distinguished from other similar appearing species by its size and the length of its palpi.[4]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[5][6] It is only known from Auckland and Northland.[7] Most specimens have been collected in Titirangi.[3]
Biology and behaviour
Adult specimens have been collected from December to March and in July using either light or malaise traps.[3] At rest, the species holds its wings mostly around the body though partly overlapping.[3]
Host plants and habitat
The host plants for the larvae of this species is unknown.[7]
Conservation status
C. cramboides has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status with the qualifiers "Data Poor" and "Sparse", under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[1]
References
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- 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: 8.
- "Lepidoptera of New Zealand". Landcareresearch.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2010-05-18. Retrieved 2011-12-19.
- Dugdale, J. S. (January 1995). "A new genus and species of New Zealand Carposinidae (Lepidoptera)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 22 (2): 213–216. doi:10.1080/03014223.1995.9518036. ISSN 0301-4223. Wikidata Q54576384.
- Hudson, Neville (2023-07-12). "Ctenarchis cramboides". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- "Ctenarchis cramboides Dugdale, 1995". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
- 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.
- B H Patrick; J. S. Dugdale (January 2000). "Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera" (PDF). Science for Conservation. 136: 1–32. ISSN 1173-2946. Wikidata Q110463865.