Ischalis variabilis
Encyclopedia
Ischalis variabilis is a moth
of the Geometridae family. It is endemic to New Zealand
, where it is widespread in the North and South islands.
There are two to three distinct transverse lines on the forewing. Both sexes have four discal spots which are usually visible dorsally as well as ventrally. Adults have been recorded year round, except June on the North Island. The main flight period is October to March. There seem to be two generations per year, but may breed continuously during mild winters.
The eggs are usually deposited in January and February. They are almost hemispherical, slightly ovate, flattened, pale bluish-green in colour, covered with numerous very slight hexagonal depressions. As the enclosed embryo develops, small irregular reddish-brown patches appear on the surface of the egg-shell.
The larvae have been recorded feeding on Cyathea
and Dicksonia
species. First-instar larva are very pale ochreous-brown, with two wavy orange-red subdorsal lines. Full-grown larvae are about 32 mm long and pale rusty-brown with an obscure pale-brown dorsal line. Pupation takes place in a pupa enclosed in a curled fern leaf or hidden amongst leaf litter on the ground.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Geometridae family. It is endemic to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, where it is widespread in the North and South islands.
There are two to three distinct transverse lines on the forewing. Both sexes have four discal spots which are usually visible dorsally as well as ventrally. Adults have been recorded year round, except June on the North Island. The main flight period is October to March. There seem to be two generations per year, but may breed continuously during mild winters.
The eggs are usually deposited in January and February. They are almost hemispherical, slightly ovate, flattened, pale bluish-green in colour, covered with numerous very slight hexagonal depressions. As the enclosed embryo develops, small irregular reddish-brown patches appear on the surface of the egg-shell.
The larvae have been recorded feeding on Cyathea
Cyathea
Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales. They are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk. The genus has a pantropical...
and Dicksonia
Dicksonia
Dicksonia is a genus of tree ferns in the order Cyatheales. It is regarded as related to Cyathea, but is considered more primitive, dating back at least to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The fossil record includes stems, pinnules, and spores....
species. First-instar larva are very pale ochreous-brown, with two wavy orange-red subdorsal lines. Full-grown larvae are about 32 mm long and pale rusty-brown with an obscure pale-brown dorsal line. Pupation takes place in a pupa enclosed in a curled fern leaf or hidden amongst leaf litter on the ground.