Graphania omicron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Graphania omicron |
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G. omicron
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| Graphania omicron (Hudson, 1898)
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Graphania omicron is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Contents
Taxonomy
This species was described and illustrated by George Hudson in 1898 and named Melanchra omicron. It was discovered by Albert Norris in Karori, Wellington. In 1928 Hudson, thinking M. omicron was the same species as Aletia inconstans, discussed it under the latter name in his book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. In 1939 Hudson reinstated M. omicron as a separate species. The type specimen is missing and has not been found at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. In 2019 Robert J. B. Hoare published a paper in which he undertook a major review of New Zealand noctuids. Hoare, having inspected the type material of this species, placed it within the genus Ichneutica.
Description
Hudson described the species as follows:
The expansion of the wings is about 11⁄2 inches. The fore-wings are pale olive-green, mottled and striped with dull grey; there is a double transverse line near the base, another at about one-fourth, and another at about one-half, passing between the orbicular and the reniform; beyond this, there are two indistinct shaded lines, and a terminal series of black marks; the orbicular is large, almost circular, and sharply outlined in black; the claviform is small and indistinct, and the reniform ill-defined, obscurely outlined in black towards the base. The hind-wings are brownish-grey, darker towards the termen.
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand. Although regarded as being known only from Wellington, Auckland Museum has specimens collected in Otago. G. omicron has been recorded as occurring at Baring Head, Titahi Bay, Central Otago and Otago Lakes.
Biology and behaviour
This species is on the wing in November, December and January.
Host species and habitat
G. omicron has been recorded at raised shingle beach habitat.
Conservation Status
This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
Images for kids
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Karori, type locality of this species
