Dasyuris austrina is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1928. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island. It frequents fellfield habitat in subalpine to alpine zones at altitudes from 1200 to 1400 m. Adults are day flying and are on the wing from October until January. Adults likely pollinate the flowers of Gaultheria nubicola and Gentianella corymbifera. The larvae of this species are associated with Styphelia nesophila. and have also been found on species in the genus Anisotome.
Taxonomy This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1928. Later in 1928. George Hudson discussed this species as a small variety of D. hectori. In 1939 Hudson discussed this species as a synonym of Dasyuris hectori and stated that this view was shared by Edward Meyrick. In 1988 John S. Dugdale agreed with Philpott pointing out that D. austrina is distinct from D. hectori as its genitalia differs and there exists no intermedia forms to show a series of specimens that link the two species. The male holotype, collected by Alfred Philpott at Bold Peak in the Humboldt Mountains, is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.
Description
Philpott described this species as follows:
Philpott pointed out that this species resembles D. hectori but is much smaller, paler in colour and has different undersides.
Distribution This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island.
Habitat and hosts This species frequents fellfield habitat in subalpine to alpine zones at altitudes from 1200 to 1400 m. The larvae of this species are associated with Styphelia nesophila. Larvae have also been found on species in the genus Anisotome.
Behaviour Adults are on the wing from October until January. Adults have had Gaultheria nubicola and Gentianella corymbifera pollen collected from them, implying that adults of this moth species helps pollinate those plants.
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