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Plutella antiphona

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Plutella antiphona
Female holotype
Scientific classification Edit this 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

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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

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It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country.[4][3]

Habitat and hosts

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P. antiphona inhabit open areas including cultivated places like gardens.[3] Larvae of this species feed on plants in the Brassicaceae family.[3]

Behaviour

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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

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Although this species feeds on plants in the Brassicaceae family it is not regarded as a serious pest of agricultural crops.[3]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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)
  4. ^ "Plutella antiphona Meyrick, 1901". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-04.