Australian Biological Resources Study

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Species Paralaea chionopasta McQuillan, Young & Richardson, 2001

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria


Extra Distribution Information

Occurs in the highlands of south eastern New South Wales, north eastern Victoria and Tasmania, generally above 1000 m elevation. In Tasmania, P. chionopasta occurs in montane and subalpine forests containing various canopy dominants including: Eucalyptus coccifera Hook. f. (snow gum) – E. urnigera Hook. f. (urn gum) on Mount Wellington near Hobart, or E. delegatensis R.T. Baker (white top) and E. archeri Maiden & Blakely (alpine cider gum) as co-dominants in Ben Lomond National Park. It is an abundant species in monospecific old growth E. delegatensis tall forest near Tarraleah. In New South Wales it occurs in monospecific stands of E. pauciflora Sieber ex Spreng (snow gum).

Australian Endemic.


Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Caterpillar: herbivore (associated flora: Eucalyptus l'Hérit. [MYRTACEAE] Gum trees).

 

Diagnosis

P. chionopasta differs from other species in the genus by its strongly patterned forewings and scattered whitish scaling. The massive build of the male genitalia and the more elaborate armature of the apex of the male gnathos are distinctive. The absence of the distal acuminate spines in the vesica is also diagnostic. Later instar larvae are distinguished from those of P. beggaria by their prominent dorsal, rather than lateral, pale stripe. Larvae also lack the dorso-anterior thoracic horns of P. taggorum and P. porphyrinaria. The pale patch of scales at the base of the forewing is most characteristic of specimens from mainland Australia.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
21-Feb-2022 GEOMETROIDEA 24-Nov-2023 MODIFIED Dr Cathy Byrne (TMAG) Di Moyle (TMAG)
21-Feb-2022 GEOMETRIDAE 24-Nov-2023 MODIFIED Dr Federica Turco (QM)
21-Feb-2022 24-Nov-2023 MODIFIED
04-Feb-2012 ADDED