Izatha dasydisca

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Izatha dasydisca
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Oecophoridae
Genus:
Izatha
Species:
I. dasydisca
Binomial name
Izatha dasydisca
, 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[]

This species was first described by in 2010 from a specimen collected by John S. Dugdale at Mount Auckland in Auckland and named Izatha dasydisca.[1][2] The name of the species comes from the Greek word dasys (meaning shaggy) and diskos (indicating the disc of the forewing) and refers to the scale-tufts which help to distinguish this species from Izatha austera.[2]

Description[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

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

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Izatha dasydisca Hoare, 2010". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Hoare, R. J. B. (2010). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201. ISBN 9780478347258.
  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.


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