Dumbletonius characterifer: taxon details and analytics

Domain
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Hepialidae
Genus
Dumbletonius
Species
Dumbletonius characterifer
Scientific Name
Dumbletonius characterifer

Summary description from Wikipedia:

Dumbletonius characterifer

Dumbletonius characterifer is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1865.

The wingspan is 56–70 mm (2.2–2.8 in) for males and 72–95 mm (2.8–3.7 in) for females. There is a complex ocellate pattern with bicoloured scales on the forewings. The hindwings are dark brown. Adults are on wing from November to April. D. characterifer is present in the Waikato, Taupo, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough and Marlborough Sounds, Buller and Westland regions.

The larvae feed on leaf litter. They built tunnels in the leaf litter from which they feed.

The northern most location this species has been observed at is Mount Te Aroha. This species has been known to be infected by Ophiocordyceps robertsii, the vegetable caterpillar fungus.

...
 

Images from inaturalist.org observations:

We recommend you sign up for this excellent, free service.

Dumbletonius characterifer
©greghadley1, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©greghadley1, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©greghadley1, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©greghadley1, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©nakileigh, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Emily Roberts, some rights reserved (CC-BY)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Mike Lusk, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Pete McGregor, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-ND)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Pete McGregor, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-ND)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Pete McGregor, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-ND)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Roger Frost, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Roger Frost, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©robingrace, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©rubecula, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©rubecula, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©rubecula, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©rubecula, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©georgiasteel, some rights reserved (CC0)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Mark Anderson, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Paddy Kemner, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Paddy Kemner, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Paddy Kemner, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Dumbletonius characterifer
©Paddy Kemner, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)

Parent Taxon

Top Observation Places