Aoraia rufivena
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hepialidae
Genus: Aoraia
Species:
A. rufivena
Binomial name
Aoraia rufivena
Dugdale, 1994

Aoraia rufivena, also known as the rufous-veined aoraia or the Otago ghost moth, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. A. rufivena was described by John S. Dugdale in 1994.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by John S. Dugdale in 1994 using specimens collected in Otago. The male holotype, collected at Swampy Summit in Dunedin by Brian Patrick in April, is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[1]

Description

The wingspan is 60–74 mm for males.[1] The forewing ground colour is pale and dark brown, with an ash-white pattern.[1] Females are sub-brachypterous with a wingspan of 55–68 mm.[1] The males can be distinguished from similar looking species as they usually have a vivid pattern on their forewings with a prominent rust brown coloured subcostal streak.[1]

Distribution

A. rufivena is endemic to New Zealand.[2] This species has been observed in the Mackenzie District, Otago, as well as in Southland.[1]

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits subalpine grasslands, mires and native forest as well as cool temperate native forest in and around the city of Dunedin.[1]

Behaviour

Adults are nocturnal and are on wing from January to April.[3][1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 John Stewart Dugdale (1 March 1994). "Hepialidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. 30: 49–50. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.30. ISSN 0111-5383. OCLC 30833000. Wikidata Q44987707. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019.
  2. ↑ "Aoraia rufivena Dugdale, 1994". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  3. ↑ Welvaert, Sofie (4 June 2011). "Down among the leaf litter". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2 January 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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