''Dasyuris enysii'' is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the

Department of Conservation An environmental ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for the environment and/or natural resources. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of the Environment, ...

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877 using specimens collected by John Enys and named ''Fidonia enysii''. In 1884 Edward Meyrick, thinking he was describing a new species, named it ''Statira homomorpha''. In 1885 Meyrick recognised his error and synonymised both previous names naming the species ''Statira enysii''. In 1886 Meyrick renamed the genus ''Statira'' ''Stathmonyma''. George Hudson described and illustrated the species under the name ''Dasyuris enysii'' both in his 1898 book ''New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macrolepidoptera)'' as well as in his 1928 publication ''The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand''. The type specimen of this species is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Butler described the species as follows: When on the wing this species can be mistaken for '' Paranotoreas brephosata'' but can be distinguished from that species as ''D. enysii'' is larger in size, has paler colouring and the antennae of the male is simpler.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. The range of ''D. enysii'' is Marlborough, Kaikoura and Mid Canterbury. The type locality is Castle Hill. Hudson stated that he collected specimens at the mineral belt on Dun Mountain near Nelson as well as at Mount Hutt.

Biology and life cycle

Little is known of the biology and life cycle of this species. The adults of this species are on the wing in January and are day flying.

Host species and habitat

The host species for the larvae of this moth is unknown but it has been hypothesised that it is likely to be a plant from the family Apiaceae. The adults of this species prefer stony mountainous habitat.

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the

New Zealand Threat Classification system The New Zealand Threat Classification System is used by the Department of Conservation to assess conservation priorities of species in New Zealand. The system was developed because the IUCN Red List, a similar conservation status system, had some ...

as being "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon".

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q13547372 Larentiinae Moths of New Zealand Moths described in 1877 Endemic fauna of New Zealand Endangered biota of New Zealand Taxa named by Arthur Gardiner Butler Endemic moths of New Zealand