Plutella antiphona
| Plutella antiphona | |
|---|---|
| |
| Female holotype | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Plutellidae |
| Genus: | Plutella |
| Species: | P. antiphona
|
| Binomial name | |
| Plutella antiphona Meyrick, 1901
| |
Plutella antiphona, also known as the diamondback moth, is a moth of the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1901.[1][2] It is endemic to New Zealand.
Description
[edit]This species is very similar in appearance to Plutella xylostella and can only be distinguished from that species either by examining the larvae, the pupae or the adult genitalia.[3] The diamond pattern on the forewings of this species is variable and can be blurred or faded.[3]
Distribution
[edit]It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country.[4][3]
Habitat and hosts
[edit]P. antiphona inhabit open areas including cultivated places like gardens.[3] Larvae of this species feed on plants in the Brassicaceae family.[3]
Behaviour
[edit]The larvae make a web of silk on the lower side of the leaves and produce see through windows in the leaf structure as they feed.[3] They pupate in a cocoon made of silk either on the ground or alternatively on their host plant.[3] Adults are on the wing throughout the year and are both day and night flying.[3] They are attracted to light.[3]
Interaction with humans
[edit]Although this species feeds on plants in the Brassicaceae family it is not regarded as a serious pest of agricultural crops.[3]
References
[edit]
- ^ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 463. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
- ^ John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 74–75. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Olivier Ball. Auckland. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-86966-399-5. OCLC 891672034.
((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Plutella antiphona Meyrick, 1901". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
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