Kupea (moth)

Kupea is a monotypic moth genus of the family Crambidae described by Alfred Philpott in 1930. It contains only one species, Kupea electilis, also known as Kupe's grassmoth, which is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. The female of the species was first discovered in 2012.

Kupea
Male

Nationally Vulnerable (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Kupea
Philpott, 1930[1]
Species:
K. electilis
Binomial name
Kupea electilis

Taxonomy

K. electilis was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1930 using a male specimen collected at Birdling's Flat, Kaitorete Spit by Stuart Lindsay in March.[3][4] The species was again described and figured by George Vernon Hudson in 1939.[5] David E. Gaskin discussed the species in 1975 stating that once a female specimen was found the systemic position of the genus should be reassessed.[3] The type specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum.[4]

Description

The adult male's forewings are brassy ochreous, suffused with grey in the disc. There is a brownish-black mark in the disc, followed by a white bar. The hindwings are brownish.[3] The male has a limited ability to fly.[6] The female of the species is brachypterous.[7][8]

Distribution

K. electilis is endemic to New Zealand.[2] It has only ever been recorded on sites around Kaitorete Spit, Canterbury.[9][10] The female of the species was first discovered in 2012.[8]

Life history

The larvae exist in a cocoon constructed of silk and sand. They feed on dried pieces of their host plant within the cocoon.[9] Adults are on the wing from mid March to mid April.[8] The time they are active is unknown as K. electilis are not attracted to light but it has been hypothesised they are active at twilight.[9]

Habitat and host plant

This species occurs at sand plains, behind foredunes and low hind dunes.[9] The host of this species is the endemic plant Zoysia minima.[9]

Conservation status

Kupea electilis is regarded as being "Nationally Vulnerable" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[11] The main threats to this species include grazing cattle and introduced pests such as rabbits that eat its host plant,[9] weed invasion from plants such as sea spurge,[12] and the development or use of land by humans.[6]

References
  1. "Kupea Philpott, 1930". New Zealand Organisms Register. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  2. Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity, Volume Two, Kingdom Animalia: Chaetognatha, Ecdysozoa, Ichnofossils. Vol. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 457. ISBN 9781877257933. OCLC 973607714.
  3. Gaskin, D. E. (1975). "Revision of the New Zealand Crambini". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 2 (3): 345. doi:10.1080/03014223.1975.9517878.
  4. Philpott, Alfred (1930). "Descriptions of Lepidoptera in the Canterbury Museum". Records of the Canterbury Museum. 3: 247–250.
  5. Hudson, George Vernon (1939). A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. pp. 420–421.
  6. Environment Canterbury Regional Council (5 May 2016). "Important protection work at Te Waihora". livenews.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  7. Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. (2000). Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation. p. 26. ISBN 978-0478218671.
  8. "Kaitorete home to rare moth". Te Waihora. 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  9. Patrick, Brian H. "Kupea electilis Philpott, 1930". www.landcareresearch.co.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  10. Hogan, Debbie; Hooson, Scott (6 June 2017). "Christchurch District Plan. Site of Ecological Significance : Kaitorete Spit" (PDF). www.districtplan.ccc.govt.nz. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  11. Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). "Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 6.
  12. Duthie, Catherine (2012). Risk Analysis: Euphorbia paralias – sea spurge. www.mpi.govt.nz. ISBN 978-0-478-40435-7. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
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