Izatha voluptuosa
| Izatha voluptuosa | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Oecophoridae |
| Genus: | Izatha |
| Species: | I. voluptuosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Izatha voluptuosa | |
Izatha voluptuosa is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "Not Threatened" by the Department of Conservation.
Taxonomy and etymology[edit]
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This species was described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2010.[1] I. voluptuosa was first collected by George Hudson at Ohakune in January 1912.[2] However the species was misidentified.[2] Hudson illustrated the species in his 1928 book The butterflies & moths of New Zealand.[2][3] The holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.[4] This species is monophyletic, similar to other members of the Izatha genus such as I. attactella and I. blepharidota.[5] The epithet is obtained from the Latin word voluptuosus and refers to the large size and broad wings of the female of this species.[2]
Description[edit]
The larvae of I. voluptuose have yet to be described.[2]
The wingspan is 29–31 mm for males and 33–40 mm for females.[2] The female of this species has the greatest wingspan of gelechioid moths in New Zealand.[2] The species appears similar to I. attactella and I. blepharidota.[2] I. voluptuose can be distinguished from I. attactella as I. voluptuose has a wider forewing, has less conspicuous scale-tufts, and a shorter dark basal streak.[2] I. voluptuose is also generally on the wing later in the season and in the male of that species the hook-like teeth on the right lobe of the phallus are backward pointing.[2] I. voluptuose can be distinguished from I. blepharidota as the veins on the forewings of I. voluptuosa are similar to the colour of the rest of the wing.[2]
Distribution[edit]
It is endemic to New Zealand.[1] It is known from scattered localities in North Island in the following areas: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Taupō and Rangitikei.[2]
Biology and behaviour[edit]
Adults are on wing from November to February with the moths being most prevalent in January and February.[2]
Host species and habitat[edit]
Larvae have been reared from rotten logs including those of Weinmannia racemosa.[2]
Conservation status[edit]
This species has been classified as being "Not Threatened" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Izatha voluptuosa Hoare, 2010". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. pp. Plate XXV Fig. 26 & 27. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Izatha voluptuosa". Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ BENNIK, REBECCA M.; BUCKLEY, THOMAS R.; HOARE, ROBERT J. B.; HOLWELL, GREGORY I. (April 2016). "Molecular phylogeny reveals the repeated evolution of complex male genital traits in the New Zealand moth genus (Lepidoptera: Xyloryctidae)". Systematic Entomology. 41 (2): 309–322. doi:10.1111/syen.12155. S2CID 83666096.
- ^ 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: 9.