Pseudocoremia albafasciata
| Pseudocoremia albafasciata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male | |
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Pseudocoremia |
| Species: | P. albafasciata |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudocoremia albafasciata | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Pseudocoremia albafasciata, also known as the flash moth, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island. Adults have been observed on the wing from November until March. It has the "at risk, declining" threat classification as given by the Department of Conservation.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1915 from specimens collected in Taihape in February and Feilding in March.[4] Philpott named the species Selidosema albafasciata. In 1917 Edward Meyrick, when listing the species, attempted to correct the spelling of the epithet to albifasciata.[5] This spelling was itself in error.[3] George Hudson, following Meyrick, discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand under the name Selidosema albifasciata.[6] In 1988 John S. Dugdale assigned the species to the genus Pseudocoremia.[3] He retained the original spelling of the species epithet under the ICZN Rules, Article 32a (ii) and 32c.[3] The male holotype was collected by Augustus Hamilton in Taihape and is now held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[4][7]
Description
Philpott described the species as follows:
32-34 mm. Head and thorax ochreous mixed with brown. Antennae brown, annulated with ochreous, filiations rather short. Abdomen ochreous. Forewings moderate, triangular, costa subsinuate, termen evenly rounded, not strongly oblique; dark greenish-fuscous with some admixture of yellowish; markings white tinted with yellow and sparsely sprinkled with brown; a broad band at J slightly curved; median and second fasciae broad, coalescing at middle and enclosing a triangular blotch of ground-colour on costa; sometimes throwing out a projection to middle of termen, thus interrupting the broad dark terminal area; a terminal series of irregular blackish dots : cilia ochreous mixed with brown. Hind wings pale yellow sprinkled with fuscous; a more or less interrupted brown terminal line: cilia yellow obscurely barred with brown.[4]
Philpott pointed out that the female differs by having much of the dark ground colour replaced by the lighter shade of the markings. The basal patch and median band are much reduced, and the terminal dark area is represented only by a triangular subapical patch and some small marks on the lower half.[4]
Although similar in appearance to Pseudocoremia melinata this species differs in appearance as it has a broad white first line on its forewings.[4]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[8][2] It has been observed in the North Island.[4] Hudson stated this species had also been observed in Central Otago.[6]
Biology and host species
The biology and host species of this moth is unknown.[9]
Behaviour
Adults have been observed on the wing from November until March.[6][10]
Conservation status
In 2025 P. albafasciata was classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being at risk, declining.[1] This classification was as a result of the species being biologically sparse, adversely affected by long term climate change, and range restricted.[11] However there is a lack of data about the population size and trend. This species is in need of further research in order to assist with the conservation of this species.[11]
The 2025 conservation classification has improved in comparison to the classification given in 2015 where this species was regarded as being Nationally Endangered.[1][12]
References
- 1 2 3 Robert J.B. Hoare; Eric D. Edwards; Carey Knox; Will T. Frost; Pascale Michel (April 2026). "Conservation status of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2025" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 51: 1–58. ISSN 2324-1713. Wikidata Q139379012.
- 1 2 Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 459. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. LCCN 2011379669. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
- 1 2 3 4 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 167. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-01-27. Retrieved 2018-05-03 – via Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Alfred Philpott (12 July 1915). "Descriptions of new species of Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 47: 196–197. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q66084596. BHL page 3343107
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1917). "Revision of New Zealand Notodontina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 49: 248–273. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- 1 2 3 Hudson, G. V. (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, pp. 138–139, LCCN 88133764, OCLC 25449322, Wikidata Q58593286 BHL page 61899749 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ "Pseudocoremia albafasciata (Philpott, 1915)". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
- ↑ "Pseudocoremia albafasciata (Philpott, 1915)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ↑ Patrick, Brian; Dugdale, John S. (2000). Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation. p. 28. ISBN 0478218672.
- ↑ "Pseudocoremia albafasciata". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
- 1 2 "Pseudocoremia albafasciata (Philpott, 1915)". nztcs.org.nz. 2026. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
- ↑ 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). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 30. ISBN 9781988514383.