Abstract
BackgroundIn Australia, the subfamily Larentiinae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) comprises over 45 genera with about 270 species described so far. However, life histories of the Australian larentiine moths have barely been studied.New informationThe current paper presents a list of larval food plants of 51 Australian larentiine species based on literature references, data from specimen labels and own observations. Some Australian habitats are shown. Possible relationships among the taxa based on food preference of the larvae are discussed. Additionally, a list of Australasian larentiine species from the genera occurring in Australia and their food plants is presented.
Highlights
The immature stages and biology of the Australian Larentiinae (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) have received little attention in the past and our knowledge of host plant affiliations of the Australian species is remaining scarce. Hudson (1898) was one of the first researchers who discussed food plants of New Zealand larentiine larvae. Turner (1904), Common (1966) and Common (1990) presented some details of biology and listed a few food plants of Australian Larentiinae
McFarland (1979) published an annotated list of food plants of 280 Australian geometrid moths, including 16 larentiine species, whereby four species were identified to genus
He succeeded to rear a large number of south Australian geometrid moths and completed 72 life history studies, but only four larentiine species were included (McFarland 1988)
Summary
In Australia, the subfamily Larentiinae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) comprises over 45 genera with about 270 species described so far. Life histories of the Australian larentiine moths have barely been studied. The current paper presents a list of larval food plants of 51 Australian larentiine species based on literature references, data from specimen labels and own observations. Possible relationships among the taxa based on food preference of the larvae are discussed. A list of Australasian larentiine species from the genera occurring in Australia and their food plants is presented. Australasia, Australia, checklist, host plants, geometrid moths, larentiine moths
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