Apoctena orthocopa
| Apoctena orthocopa | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Tortricidae |
| Genus: | Apoctena |
| Species: | A. orthocopa
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| Binomial name | |
| Apoctena orthocopa | |
| Synonyms | |
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Apoctena orthocopa, also known as striped ponga leaf-tyer, is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is found only on the North Island.
Taxonomy[edit]
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1924 and named Tortrix orthocopa.[2] The specimens used by Meyrick were collected by George Hudson in Wellington in January.[2]
Description[edit]
The larvae of this species are pale green with a brown head and when mature are up to 20 mm in length.[3]
Meyrick described the adults of this species as follows:
♂♀. 18–21 mm. Head, palpi, thorax whitish-ochreous. Forewings sub-oblong, costa in ♂ with moderate fold from base to 2⁄5, termen sinuate, hardly oblique; pale ochreous, sometimes tinged brownish; markings variably tinged lilac and edged with dark-brown streaks; edge of basal patch very oblique, on costal half obsolete; edges of central fascia nearly straight, very oblique, anterior from 1⁄4 of costa to 3⁄4 of dorsum, posterior from beyond middle of costa to termen above tornus, sometimes a lighter spot edged posteriorly with one or two dark strigulae occupying anterior part of central fascia on costa; costal spot very faint, edged anteriorly by a very oblique brown striga, sometimes faintly continued sinuate to middle of termen: cilia pale ochreous, two brownish lines more or less marked. Hingwings, ♂ whitish-grey, ♀ ochreous-grey-whitish, a very few small cloudy greyish flecks; cilia concolorous.[2]
Distribution[edit]
This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island.[3]
Behaviour[edit]
The larva of this species fold the fronds of its host and tie them with silk creating a shelter in which to hide.[3] The adult of this species is on the wing from January to March.[3]
Host plant[edit]
The larvae feed on Cyathea species including the silver fern.[4][3]
References[edit]
- ^ "Apoctena orthocopa (Meyrick, 1924)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
- ^ a b c Meyrick, Edward (1924). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 55: 661–662 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ a b c d e Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. p. 26. ISBN 0-14-301924-4. Wikidata Q115211440.
- ^ Dugdale, J.S. (July 1990). "Reassessment of Ctenopseustis Meyrick and Planotortrix Dugdale with descriptions of two new genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 17 (3): 437–465. doi:10.1080/03014223.1990.10422943. ISSN 0301-4223.
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