Notoreas blax
Species of moth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Notoreas blax is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. This moth frequents alpine habitat and can be found in the Canterbury and Otago regions.
| Notoreas blax | |
|---|---|
| |
| Female | |
 | |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Notoreas |
| Species: | N. blax |
| Binomial name | |
| Notoreas blax | |
Taxonomy
This species was described by Louis Beethoven Prout in 1939 using material collected by George Howes at Bold Peak, Humboldt Range.[2][1] In 1986 R. C. Craw reviewed the genus Notoreas and confirmed the inclusion of N. blax within it.[3] The holotype specimen of this species is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[1]
Description
This species has a wingspan of between 20 – 22 mm and is similar in appearance to N. atmogramma.[2] However it is paler on the upper side of its wings and is slightly less brown than a typical N. atmogramma.[2]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[4][5] It is found in West Otago localities in the high alpine zone of mountain ranges.[6] It has also been found in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park also in the high alpine zone of that park.[7]
Biology and behaviour
This species is a day flying moth.[6] It is on the wing in February.[2] Adult moths, when settled, continue to vibrate their wings ensuring they are immediately ready to take off should they be disturbed.[8] Although they prefer sunshine they will continue to fly when conditions are cloudy.[8] They fly relatively low to the ground.[8] When resting for long periods they adopt the posture of holding their wings together above their body.[8]
