Pseudocoremia fascialata, also known as the Horopito flash, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1903. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits native forest. Adults are on the wing from December until April and are attracted to light. Larvae feed on a variety of native trees and shrubs including Pseudowinteria axillaris and Pseudowinteria colorata.
Taxonomy This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1903 and originally named Selidosema fascialata. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand under that name. In 1988 John S. Dugdale assigned the species to the genus Pseudocoremia. The male lectotype, collected by Philpott collected at South Plains in Southland, is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.
Description
Philpott described this species as follows:
Philpott noted that the female is paler in colouration. He stated that this species differs from P. productata as P. fascialata has more pronounced markings and a deep indentation in the posterior margin of the median band.
Distribution It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in the North, South and Stewart Islands.
Habitat and hosts
P. fascialata frequents native forest. Larvae feed on a variety of native trees and shrubs including Pseudowinteria axillaris and Pseudowinteria colorata.
Behaviour Adults of this species are on the wing from December to April. They are attracted to light and have been collected via a mercury vapour light trap. Adults have shown an affinity for the species Jacobaea vulgaris.
References