Austrocidaria prionota
Austrocidaria prionota is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the South Island and is regarded as being uncommon. Larvae of this species have been recorded as feeding on Myrsine divaricata as well as on species of Coprosma. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 using specimens collected at Castle Hill and Dunedin, and given the name Arsinoe prionota. Meyrick described the species in more detail in 1884. In 1886 Meyrick recognised that the genus name he had used for this species had been used previously and renamed the species with the genus Anachloris. In 1917 Meyrick synonymised Anachloris with Hydriomena. George Hudson described and illustrated the species both in his 1898 book New Zealand Moths and Butterflies and in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand using the name Hydriomena prionota. In 1939 L. B. Prout discussed this species under the name Euphyia prionota. However 1971 J. S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Austrocidaria. In that same publication Dugdale suggested that A. prionota may actually be the same species as Austrocidaria lithurgia. However in 1988 Dugdale reaffirmed this species placement within the genus Austrocidaria. The male lectotype specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum.Description
Meyrick described the species as follows:Hudson described the species as follows:
A. prionota is likely variable in appearance. This species has been confused with Austrocidaria cedrinodes as the two species are similar in appearance. However they can be distinguished from each other as A. prionota has a complete lack of antennal pectinations.