Ischalis variabilis
| Ischalis variabilis | |
|---|---|
| File:Ischalis variabilis female.jpg | |
| Female | |
| File:Ischalis variabilis male.jpg | |
| Male | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Ischalis |
| Species: | I. variabilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ischalis variabilis | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Ischalis variabilis, also known as oblique-waved fern looper, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae first described by William Warren in 1895.[3][2] It is endemic to New Zealand,[1] where it is widespread in the North and South islands.[4]
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]This species was first described by William Warren in 1895 and originally named Polygonia variabilis.[1] In 1970 Robert W. Poole placed this species in the genus Ischalis.[5]
Description
[edit | edit source]
There are two to three distinct transverse lines on the forewing.[6] Adults have been recorded year round, except June on the North Island. The main flight period is September to March.[7] There seem to be two generations per year, but may breed continuously during mild winters.[4] The adult moths can be collected by beating the skirt of the dead fronds of their host species.[7]
The eggs are usually deposited in January and February.[8]
Host species
[edit | edit source]The larvae have been recorded feeding on Cyathea and Dicksonia species including Cyathea smithii, Cyathea dealbata and Dicksonia squarrosa.[9][7] Full-grown larvae are about 32 mm long.[7] The larvae feed at night.[7][4]
References
[edit | edit source]
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Cite_Q/config at line 10: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Cite_Q/config at line 10: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Cite_Q/config at line 10: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Cite_Q/config at line 10: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 165: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
 | This Ennominae-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |