Jump to content

Izatha dasydisca

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Izatha dasydisca
Izatha dasydisca found on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Oecophoridae
Genus: Izatha
Species:
I. dasydisca
Binomial name
Izatha dasydisca
Hoare, 2010[1]

Izatha dasydisca is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy and etymology

[edit]

This species was first described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2010 from a specimen collected by John S. Dugdale at Mount Auckland in Auckland and named Izatha dasydisca.[1][2]

Description

[edit]

The wingspan is 15–19 mm for males and about 26 mm for females.[2] I. dasydisca is visually very similar to I. austera.[2] However the male I. dasydisca can be distinguished by its mottled pale orange to reddish brown antennae.[2] I. dasydisca also has large forewing scale-tufts and its hindwing shape is smoothly rounded.[2] I. dasydisca has very dark hindwings which helps distinguish it from its near relative I. caustopa.[2]

Distribution

[edit]

This species is endemic to New Zealand,[1] where it is only known from the northern half of the North Island in the Northland, Auckland and Gisborne areas.[2]

Biology and behaviour

[edit]

The larvae have yet to be discovered.[2] Adults have been recorded on the wing in December, January and February.[2] The species has been collected by sweeping and by capturing when at rest on a tree trunk.[2] It appears this species is not attracted to light traps.[2]

Hosts and habitat

[edit]

The host species of the larvae of I. dasydisca are unknown.[2] The adults of the species apparently prefers forest habitat as specimens have been collected in beech as well as podocarp forest.[2]

Conservation status

[edit]

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Izatha dasydisca Hoare, 2010". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Hoare, R. J. B. (2010). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201. ISBN 9780478347258. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  3. ^ Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). "Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 8.