Zelleria Maculata

''Zelleria maculata'' is a moth species of the family Yponomeutidae. This species was described by Alfred Philpott in 1930. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest and prefers interior rather than edge habitat. Larvae feed on species of endangered mistletoe, including ''Peraxilla tetrapetala'' and ''Peraxilla colensoi'', first by mining their leaves and then by consuming parts of flowers or leaves. By feeding on flower parts ''Z. maculata'' larvae affect the production of seeds of its endangered hosts. Adults are on the wing from August until February and likely have one brood a year. Adult moths rest in a steep angled head down tail up posture. A parasitic wasp in the genus '' Campoplex'' predates the larvae of ''Z. maculata''.

Taxonomy

''Z. maculata'' was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1930 using specimens collected at Mount Maungatua, Otago by Charles E. Clarke in December and January. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1939 book ''A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand''. The female holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Description

The mature larva of this species is green in colour and is 9 mm in length.

Philpott describes this species as follows:

Philpott was of the opinion that the white preapical spot on the forewings of this species is a distinguishing feature. ''Z. maculata'' is longer winged than its near relative '' Z. sphenota''.

Distribution

''Z. maculata'' is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found throughout the North and South Islands.

Habitat and hosts

Adults of this species inhabit native forest at up to 900 m in altitude and prefers the interior of forests, avoiding edge habitat. The larvae feed on ''Peraxilla tetrapetala'' and ''Peraxilla colensoi'', endangered mistletoe species that are endemic to New Zealand. It is likely ''Z. maculata'' also feeds on the mistletoe species '' Alepis flavida''. Early instars of ''Z. maculata'' larvae are leaf miners, while later instars feed externally on the mistletoe species' leaves and flowers, including flower buds. As a result of endangered status of these mistletoe plants, this moth's ability to affect their seed production is important consideration for conservationists attempting to preserve these plants.

Behaviour

When leaf mining, the larvae form "scribble mines" on the edges of the leaves of their host plants. Every few days they move from one mine to another, either on the same leaf or on a nearby leaf. When the larva reaches its fourth instar it leaves its mine to either consume the leaves of its host, mines the stem of developing flower buds and then moves onto the leaves, or consumes the reproductive parts of its host plants flowers. When consuming leaves the larva does this from a silken gallery it forms between overlapping leaves of its host plant.

The mature larva pupates in a white silk spindle-shaped cocoon, covered by a second layer of loose silk, and normally located on the stem of its host plant. It has also been hypothesised that this species also pupates in leaf litter as a result of predated buds being aborted and falling to the ground. Adults emerge from this cocoon in as few as 10 days. It has been hypothesised that this species has only one generation per year.

Adults of this species are on the wing from August until February. The adults rest in an unusual step angled posture of head down, tail up.

Parasites

A wasp in the genus '' Campoplex'' has been observed parasitising ''Z. maculata'' larvae''.''

References

External links

Image of larva of Z. maculata

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2018088

Yponomeutidae
Moths described in 1930
Moths of New Zealand
Endemic fauna of New Zealand
Endemic moths of New Zealand
Taxa named by Alfred Philpott