Dumbletonius characterifer
Species of moth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dumbletonius characterifer is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand.[2] It was first described by Francis Walker in 1865.[3]
| Dumbletonius characterifer | |
|---|---|
| |
| Female specimen | |
 | |
| Male specimen | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Hepialidae |
| Genus: | Dumbletonius |
| Species: | D. characterifer |
| Binomial name | |
| Dumbletonius characterifer (Walker, 1865) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The wingspan is 56–70 mm (2.2–2.8 in) for males and 72–95 mm (2.8–3.7 in) for females. There is a complex ocellate pattern with bicoloured scales on the forewings. The hindwings are dark brown. Adults are on wing from November to April.[4] D. characterifer is present in the Waikato, Taupo, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough and Marlborough Sounds, Buller and Westland regions.[4]
The larvae feed on leaf litter.[5] They built tunnels in the leaf litter from which they feed.[5]
The northern most location this species has been observed at is Mount Te Aroha.[5] This species has been known to be infected by Ophiocordyceps robertsii, the vegetable caterpillar fungus.[5]
