Izatha convulsella

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Izatha convulsella
Izatha convulsella 105314104.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Oecophoridae
Genus:
Izatha
Species:
I. convulsella
Binomial name
Izatha convulsella
(Walker, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Gelechia convulsella Walker, 1864
  • Semiocosma paraneura Meyrick, 1892

Izatha convulsella is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is similar in appearance to its close relative Izatha gekkonella but is slightly larger and more white/grey in appearance and is more wide spread in geographic range than its close relative.

Taxonomy[]

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1864 under the name Gelechia convulsella.[1][2] Walker based his description on specimens collected in Nelson by Mr Oxley.[3] These specimens are held at the Natural History Museum, London.[4]

Description[]

The wingspan is 14–20 mm for males and 13.5–19 mm for females.[3] Adults are on wing from late September to February.[3] This species is very similar in appearance to its close relation I. gekkonella.[3] The most accurate way to confirm the identity of specimens is by dissection of the male genitalia as I. convulsella has a comb like structure in the reproductive organ of the males of the species.[3] Generally I. convulsella is slightly larger than I. gekkonella and has fewer yellow-tipped grey scales and so has a more white and grey appearance in comparison to the I. gokkonella which, as a result of having a larger quantity of these scales, has a more brownish appearance.[3] I. convulsella also has lighter coloured hindwings in comparison to I. gekkonella.[3]

Geographic range[]

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[5] It is widespread in the eastern part of the South Island.[3] In the North Island, it has only been recorded from Wellington, Ōtaki, Palmerston North, Taihape and Waipawa.[3] This species is not found in Auckland.[3]

Host species[]

Izatha convulsella

Larvae have been recorded living under the bark of Dacrydium cupressinum.[3] The true food plant may be lichens growing on the bark.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ Dugdale, John Stewart (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–264.
  2. ^ Walker, Francis (1864). "Part XXIX. Tineites". List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. 29: 563–835. Retrieved 12 February 2018 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Hoare, Robert J. B. (2 September 2010). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)". Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201.
  4. ^ "Record 1500917 Izatha convulsella Walker". data.nhm.ac.uk. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Izatha convulsella (Walker, 1864)". NZOR. 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)


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