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Species box:

Orocrambus flexuosellus

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Crambidae

Genus: Orocrambus

Species: O. flexuosellus

Introduction:

Orocrambus flexuosellus, Doubleday 1843. Better known as the common New Zealand Grass moth. Is a moth species endemic to the lowland and alpine grasslands of New Zealand. The species is easily distinguished by the two white strips which run down its two forewings. A regular site in grasslands from the North to South Islands and the Chatham’s on a warm day (Gaskin, 1975).

Description:

O. flexuosellus has two white subterminal forewing markings. These white markings are readily identifiable when the species is seen resting. O. flexuosellus’ midrib is also said to be a darker colour than most other New Zealand native moths. This aids in the identification of the species, (Gaskin, 1975). O. flexuosellus has a wingspan of up to 40mm in adulthood (Bendle, P. April 2021). According to (Gaskin, 1975) wing size does not differ greatly between the two sexes. The species has pale brown hindwings and darker brown forewings with characteristic white markings. The species shares many other traits common to Lepidoptera. This includes two antennae, a slender abdomen and broad thorax as well as four spindly legs. O. flexuosellus also has unique genitalia which is easily differentiated from other New Zealand species by a trained expert. (Gaskin, 1975).

Distribution:

The historical distribution of O. flexuosellus would have been limited to a small number of lowland and alpine grasslands. Due to European settlement and the introduction of exotic grasses, this species has thrived. Whereas it once had a limited range it is now common across North Island pastures. While it is not as abundant in the South Island it is often found in grasslands 600 metres above sea level, (Gaskin, 1975). Recently they have even been found on Stewart Island which has undergone a significant change in land use since European settlement. The species typically prefer native grasslands with plentiful sedges and grasses however it has adapted well to exotic pastoral grasslands. These grasslands camouflage them well from predators. (Landcare Research, April 2021). There is also a likelihood that they have a lower abundance of native predators than their traditional ranges.

Lifecycle:

The life cycle of species under the order Lepidoptera is very similar to that of each other (Teara, April 2021). O. flexuosellus/ the Grass moth lay their eggs on grasses which naturally occur or are introduced to a given environment. The eggs are a creamy white when first laid. Turning pinkish after the first-day cycle and finally, vermillion when close to maturing (Gaskin, 1975). The larvae which hatch from these eggs are 12-18 mm long and a greenish-grey colour (Gaskin, 1975). They will then form pupae which hatch into the next generation of Grass moths. They have several generations per annum which mature over two weeks. (Gaskin, 1975). Most adults can be seen on the wing from November to February, so most mating and egg-laying takes place during the Spring after winter (Gaskin, 1975). Matured adults will take flight during the day, returning to their underground tubular webs at night, (Landcare, April 2021).

Interactions: The larvae of the Grassland moth are herbivores, which eat plant parts of the grasses they hatch onto. This may be exotic pastoral grass of varying native sedges. When they mature the moths typically eat nectar syrups and nutrients from animal faces to sustain themselves, (Gaskin, 1975). There are many natural predators of O. flexuosellus. These may include birds, reptiles, amphibians and arachnids which are abundant across New Zealand. Many species of jumping spider in particular prey upon grassland moths like this species, (Moss et al, 2005).

Further information:

O. flexuosellus is one of if not the most lowland feeding native moths in New Zealand. The larvae of this species are also polyphagous (Gaskin, 1975) meaning they can feed on multiple species. This adaptation has helped it succeed in filling new and introduced niches of the exotic grass species in New Zealand.

References:

Dieffenbach, E. (1843). List of Annulose Animals hitherto recorded as found in New Zealand with descriptions of some new species by Messrs. Adam White and Edward Doubleday. Travels in New Zealand: with contributions to the geography, geology, botany and natural history of the country. 285. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.25939

Gaskin, D, E. (1975). Revision of the New Zealand Crambini (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Crambinae). Taylor & Francis online. 314-315. doi:10.1080/03014223.1975.9517878

Bendle, P. (April 2021). Orocrambus flexuosellus (Grass moth). CitScihub. https://www.citscihub.nz/Phil_Bendle_Collection:Orocrambus_flexuosellus_(Grass_moth)

Landcare research. (April 2021). Grass moth. https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/tools-and-resources/identification/what-is-this-bug/grass-moth/

Brian Patrick. (April 2021). Butterflies and Moths lifecycle. Teara. https://teara.govt.nz/en/butterflies-and-moths/page-4

Moss, R., Jackson, R, R., Pollard, S, D. (2005). Hiding in the grass: Background matching conceals moths (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from detection by spider eyes (Araneae: Salticidae). Taylor and Francis online. 207-214. DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2006.9518447

Gaskin, D, E. (1975). Information on the life cycles of some New Zealand Crambini (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Crambinae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 2 (3). 365–376. doi:10.1080/03014223.1975.9517879