Izatha gekkonella

Izatha gekkonella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Oecophoridae
Genus:	Izatha
Species:	I. gekkonella
Binomial name
	Izatha gekkonella; Hoare, 2010

Izatha gekkonella is a moth of the family Oecophoridae.^[1] It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is only known from the region of the Taieri and Shag River catchments in eastern Otago.^[2]

Description[]

The wingspan is 13.5–15.5 mm for males and 13.5–17 mm for females.^[2] This species is very similar in appearance to I. convulsella but is slightly smaller and has a more brownish appearance.^[2]

Behaviour[]

Adults have been recorded in October, November and December.^[2]

Larvae have been recorded feeding on lichens on rock-faces, making a silken web amongst the lichens.^[2]

Etymology[]

The name gekkonella means "little gecko" and refers to the mottled and scaly appearance of the moth under the microscope, as well as its gecko-like fondness for rockfaces.^[2] Geckos are common and diverse in the region of the South Island favoured by I. gekkonella.^[2]

References[]

^ ^a ^b "Izatha gekkonella Hoare, 2010". NZOR. 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Hoare, Robert J. B. (2010-09-02). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)". Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201.

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[:1-1] "Izatha gekkonella Hoare, 2010". NZOR. 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[:0-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Hoare, Robert J. B. (2010-09-02). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)". Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201.

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