Microdes epicryptis
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Microdes epicryptis is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on the North, South, Stewart, Chatham and Antipodes Islands. It inhabits lowland wetlands. Larvae feed on species in the Juncaceae family and a specific larval host is Apodasmia similis. Adults are on the wing from September to March. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light.
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1897 using two specimens collected in Wellington by George Hudson. In 1927 Alfred Philpott discussed the male genitalia of this species. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 publication The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1939 Hudson also discussed this species in the supplement to that work. In 1971 John S. Dugdale discussed and redescribed this species. The male lectotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London.
The larvae of this species has been described as being approximately 1⁄2 an inch in length when fully grown and is pale ochreous in colour, with a series of dark brown V-shaped markings along its back. The larvae are said to be challenging to see when resting on the flower... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Microdes epicryptis sighting in Auckland on a given day, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 459th most-seen of the 689 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
November to January
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Microdes epicryptis in Auckland on a given day, against under 5% in February to October, the lowest months.
Only Auckland, in our data
Auckland is the only city on Wallace's Line with enough records to rate Microdes epicryptis sightings: under 5% of wildlife watchers there report one on a given day.
Same family: Geometridae
The closest relatives of the Microdes epicryptis that you can see in Auckland (family Geometridae, Geometer Moths) are Epyaxa lucidata (about 20%), Apple Looper (about 20%) and Cabbage Tree Moth (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Microdes epicryptis is recorded against all the insects logged in Auckland (9 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
