Xanthorhoe semifissata

Xanthorhoe semifissata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is native to New Zealand.

Xanthorhoe semifissata
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Hexapoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Genus:
Xanthorhoe
Species:
X. semifissata
Binomial name
Xanthorhoe semifissata
Walker, 1862

Description

A small to medium-sized moth with a wing span 25–35 mm.

Distribution and habitat

Is found in both the South and North Island of New Zealand.[1]

Has been collected occasionally in Riccarton Bush, Christchurch.[2]

  • 1920–1945 Lindsay, Heighway and Tonnoir
  • 1980–1988 Muir and Dugdale

The habitat/foodplant for this moth is herbaceous plants. Gaskin noted eggs are laid on watercress (Nasturtium officinale).[3] White [4] listed Cardamine and stream Nasturtium as known larval foods.

Life cycle

Eggs

Eggs are pale green and hemispherical in shape.[3]

Larva
Xanthorhoe semifissata larva

The caterpillar is dark brown on its upper side and light brown below, When fully grown it is approximately 2.5 cm long.[3]

Adult

The adults have been collected in March, May, August and October in Riccarton Bush, Christchurch.[2] In montane grasslands at Cass, Arthurs Pass the moth was seen from November through to April.[4]

References
  1. White, E G (2002). New Zealand Tussock Grassland Moths. Lincoln, New Zealand: Manaaki Whenua Press. p. 291.
  2. Molloy, Brian (1995). Riccarton Bush: Putaringamotu. Christchurch: The Riccarton Bush Trust. p. 227.
  3. Gaskin, D E (1966). The Butterflies and Common Moths of New Zealand. Christchurch: Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. p. 134.
  4. White, E G (1991). "The changing abundance of moths in a tussock grassland, 1962–1989, and 50- to 70- year trends". New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 15 (1): 5–22.


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