Asaphodes chlamydota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Asaphodes chlamydota |
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Asaphodes
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A. chlamydota
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| Asaphodes chlamydota (Meyrick, 1883)
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Asaphodes chlamydota is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, in the lower part of the North Island and in the South Island. It can be found in forest and shrublands and feeds on native Clematis plants.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 as Epyaxa chlamydota. Later that same year Meyrick gave a more detailed description of the newly named species. George Hudson further discussed the species in his 1898 volume New Zealand Moths and Butterflies and referred to it as Xanthorhoe chlamydota. In 1971 John S. Dugdale assigned Xanthorhoe chlamydota to the genus Asaphodes.
Description
Hudson described the species as follows:
The expansion of the wings is about 11⁄4 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.
Distribution
A. chlamydota is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the lower North Island and the South Island. Meyrick stated this species was present in Wellington, Christchurch and Akaroa, and Hudson mentioned the species is present in the Wellington Botanic Garden. Specimens of this species have been collected in the Mid Canterbury (MC) specimen collection locality (as defined by Crosby et al.). A. chlamydota was also found to be present in the Dansey ecological district in Otago.
Ecology and habitat
The habitat of this species is amongst forest and shrubland. It has been found at altitudes of below 500 m.
Host plants
A. chlamydota feeds on plants within the genus Clematis including Clematis afoliata.
Flight patterns
A. chlamyota is regarded as having intermediate flight powers and remains active during light breezes.
Occurrence
Adult A. chlamydota are regarded as normally being present during the months of November to April. However specimens have also been collected in October.
