Sarisa (moth)

Sarisa is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae described by David Stephen Fletcher in 1979.[2] Its only species, Sarisa muriferata, described by Francis Walker in 1863, is endemic to New Zealand and surrounding islands.[3] It is widespread in the North and South Islands, and recorded from Stewart Island, Big South Cape Island, the Chatham Islands and the Auckland Islands.[4][5]

Sarisa
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Geometridae
Genus:	Sarisa D. S. Fletcher, 1979
Species:	S. muriferata
Binomial name
Sarisa muriferata (Walker, 1863)
Synonyms[1]
Gargaphia muriferata Walker, 1863 Drepanodes muriferata (Walker 1863) Panagra ephyraria Walker, 1863 Zanclopteryx cookaria Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875 Zanclopteryx haastaria Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875 Drepanodes neoselena Meyrick, 1909 Gargaphia neoselena (Meyrick, 1909)

Adults have functional mouthparts and are attracted to nectar sources. Evasive behaviour consists of dropping when disturbed or attacked and falling to the ground, with the wings held motionless. The shape and colouring of the wings contribute to a most effective dead leaf crypsis. There are probably two generations per year in the North and South Islands, with adults recorded from September to March. At the southern limit of its range there is probably one generation per year, flying during January and February.

The larvae have been recorded feeding on Microsorum pustulatum and Dicksonia fibrosa. They have also been observed feeding on the leaves and sori of Pyrrosia eleagnifolia.[6] Full-grown larvae are reddish brown with an interrupted black dorsal line containing five oblong yellowish-brown spots. The species overwinters in the pupal stage.