Doxophyrtis hydrocosma
| Doxophyrtis hydrocosma | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Plutellidae |
| Genus: | Doxophyrtis |
| Species: | D. hydrocosma
|
| Binomial name | |
| Doxophyrtis hydrocosma | |
Doxophyrtis hydrocosma, also known as the Nikau Palm moth, is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914.[2][3] It is endemic to New Zealand.
Description[edit]
The wingspan of this species is between 8.5 to 11 mm.[4] The cocoons of this species are oval shaped with flat spread out edges.[4]
Distribution[edit]
This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North Island and in the north-west of Nelson.[1][4]
Habitat and hosts[edit]
This species inhabits native forest particularly forest on the coast. The larvae of this species feed on the berries of Nikau palm trees.[4] They spin the berries together with silk threads and when fully mature the larvae travel down to the trunk of the palm to pupate there in white-brown cocoons.[4]
Behaviour[edit]
Adults are on the wing all through the year.[4] They have been observed resting, in a head down position, on Nikau palms.[4] Often adults can be observed near the cocoons of their larvae.[4] Although they are nocturnal they are only occasionally attracted to light.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Doxophyrtis hydrocosma Meyrick, 1914". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
- ^ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 463. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
- ^ John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 107. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Olivier Ball. Auckland. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-86966-399-5. OCLC 891672034.
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