New Zealand

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Ground Weta (Hemiandrus) – undescribed species

Ground Weta (Hemiandrus) – undescribed species

This New Zealand genus contains about 35 species, of which only some 15 appear to have been described so far, leaving about 20 species still undescribed. [1][3]

The ground weta are thought to be widespread and common, some are even found in urban gardens, however, some species of course are very restricted and are indeed threatened.

Some species are known to exhibit maternal care of eggs and offspring – the mothers take care for their eggs and their young. [2]

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Unfortunately I do not know which of the following tag-named forms were properly described in the meantime.:

Hemiandrus sp. “alius”
Hemiandrus sp. “disparalis”
Hemiandrus sp. “dodsons”
Hemiandrus sp. “elegans”
Hemiandrus sp. “Esperance Valley”
Hemiandrus sp. “evansae”
Hemiandrus sp. “furoviarius”
Hemiandrus sp. “hapuku”
Hemiandrus sp. “horomaka”
Hemiandrus sp. “Hunter Mountains”
Hemiandrus sp. “kapiti”
Hemiandrus sp. “madisylvestris”
Hemiandrus sp. “mtgeorge”
Hemiandrus sp. “nokomai”
Hemiandrus sp. “okiwi”
Hemiandrus sp. “onokis”
Hemiandrus sp. “otautau”
Hemiandrus sp. “otekauri”
Hemiandrus sp. “porters”
Hemiandrus sp. “promontorius”
Hemiandrus sp. “pureora 1”
Hemiandrus sp. “pureora 2”
Hemiandrus sp. “redhills”
Hemiandrus sp. “richmond”
Hemiandrus sp. “saxatilis”
Hemiandrus sp. “staveley”
Hemiandrus sp. “timaru”
Hemiandrus sp. “turgidulus”
Hemiandrus sp. “waimakariri”
Hemiandrus sp. “vicinus”

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References:

[1] P. M. Johns: Distribution and conservation status of ground weta, Hemiandrus species (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae). Science for Conservation 180. 2001
[2] Tony Jewell: Two new species of Hemiandrus (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) from Fiordland National Park, New Zealand. Zootaxa 1542: 49-57. 2007
[3] B. L. Taylor Smith; M. Morgan-Richards & S. A. Trewick: New Zealand ground wētā (Anostostomatidae: Hemiandrus): descriptions of two species with notes on their biology. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 40(4): 314-329. 2013

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hemiandrus.sp.rudolph89

Hemiandrus sp.

Photo: Rudolph89

(This image is in the public domain.)

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edited: 06.03.2016

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Blechnum triangularifolium T. C. Chambers & P. A. Farrant

Blechnum triangularifolium

Distribution:

New Zealand: Chatham Islands; Hen Island (Hen and Chicken Islands); North Island; South Island

local names: –

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Photo: Leon Perrie
http://www.inaturalist.org/people/leonperrie

(under creative commons license (4.0))
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0

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edited: 23.06.2017

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Zizina otis ssp. labradus (Godart)

Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis ssp. labradus)

The Lesser Grass Blue, a very small, blue butterfly with a wingspan of only about 1,5 cm, is a widely distributed species, that is still expanding its range, so for example the species has reached the Hawaiian Islands by 2008.

The formerly recognized subspecies ssp. cheesmanae (Poulton & Riley), ssp. mangoensis (Butler) are now obviously included in the ssp. labradus (Godart), which occurs in the Polynesian region and beyond, however, the taxonomical position of this species and its subspecies varies from author to author.

The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of legume species.

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In Niue the species is called pepe lanu moana mama.

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References:

[1] John Adam Comstock: Lepidoptera of American Samoa with particular reference to biology and ecology. Pacific Insects Monographs 11: 1-74. 1966
[2] Jaqueline Y. Miller; Lee D. Miller: The Butterflies of the Tonga Islands and Niue, Cook Islands, with the Descriptions of two new subspecies. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 34: 1-24. 1993
[3] Karin S. Kami; Scott E. Miller: Samoan Insects and related Arthropods: Checklist and Bibliography. Bishop Museum Technical Report 13. 1998
[4] Brian Patrick; Hamish Patrick: Butterflies of Fiji. The Weta 24(1): 5-12. 2002
[5] Brian Patrick; Hamish Patrick: Butterflies of the South Pacific. Otago University Press 2012

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Photo: Kim Starr & Forest Starr; by courtesy of Kim Starr & Forest Starr

http://www.starrenvironmental.com

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edited: 18.01.14

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Geniostoma rupestre J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.

Geniostoma rupestre

Distribution:

Austral Islands: Rapa, Rurutu (?)
Fiji: Fulaga, Gau, Kadavu, Koro, Lakeba, Nasoata, Nayau, Ovalau, Rotuma, Taveuni, Vanua Balavu, Vanua Levu, Viti Levu, Waya
Marquesas: Fatu Hiva, Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva, Tahuata, Ua Pou
New Zealand: Great Barrier Island; Kapiti Island; North Island; Aorangi Island (Poor Knights Islands); Rangitoto Island; South Island; Manawa Tawhi Island, South West Island (Three Kings Islands); Tiritiri Matangi Island
Niue
Pitcairn Islands: Henderson Island
Samoa: Fanuatapu, Namu’a, Nu’ulua, Nu’utele, Savai’i, Ta’u, Tutuila, ‘Upolu
Society Islands: Mo’orea, Tahiti
Tonga: ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Kao, Motutapu, Onevai, Tafahi, Tofua, Tongatapu, ‘Uta Vava’u
Wallis & Futuna: Alofi, Futuna, ‘Uvea

local names:

age – Rurutu / Austral Islands
ange – Rapa / Austral Islands
faipuu – Society Islands
hangehange – New Zealand
taipoipoi – Samoa

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The species is split into several varieties, of which at least four occur within the Polynesian region, Geniostoma rupestre var. crassum (Cheeseman) Conn (endemic to New Zealand), Geniostoma rupestre var. glaberrimum (Benth.) Conn (most parts of Polynesia, especially French Polynesia), the nominate Geniostoma rupestre var. rupestre (western Polynesia), and Geniostoma rupestre var. tongense (A. C. Sm. & Stone) Conn (Fiji, Niue and Tonga).

Many of these varieties include synonyms that formerly were treated as distinct species. [1]

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References:

[1] Barry J. Conn: A taxonomic revision of Geniostoma Subg. Geniostoma (Loganiaceae). Blumea 26: 245-364. 1980

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geniostoma-r-v-rupestre-tt

nominate variety

Photo: Tavita Togia
http://www.inaturalist.org/people/tavita_togia2016

(under creative commons license (4.0))
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0