Zealandopterix zonodoxa

Zealandopterix zonodoxa is a moth of the family Micropterigidae. It is found in northern New Zealand.

Zealandopterix zonodoxa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Micropterigidae
Genus:
Zealandopterix
Species:
Z. zonodoxa
Binomial name
Zealandopterix zonodoxa
(Meyrick, 1888)[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Palaeomicra zonodoxa Meyrick, 1888
  • Sabatinca zonodoxa (Meyrick, 1888)
  • Sabatinca rosicoma Meyrick, 1914

Taxonomy and naming

Zealandopterix zonodoxa was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1888 as Palaeomicra zonodoxa.[2][3]

Description

The forewing length is 2.6 millimetres (0.10 in) for males and 3 millimetres (0.12 in) for females. The forewing ground colour is dark brownish-black with strong purplish-bronze reflections. There is a maximum of five and a minimum of three shining white fasciae comprising: a short basal triangular streak, which is consistently present, in the centre of the wing, contiguous with the tegula. Secondly, a transverse band at mid-length, either as a continuous broad line or only partly represented in the form of either a bold triangular patch on the dorsum or triangular patches on both the costa and the dorsum. Furthermore, a much smaller costal patch and a few white scales in the apex present in all specimens. The fringes are long along the termen and largely dark brownish-black, white-tipped and wholly white around the apex. The hindwing is greyish-brown with bronzy-purple reflections. The fringes are grey-brown.[1]

The shiny white markings on the forewing of this species is variable.[4]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[5] It is known from the northern North Island of New Zealand, from Te Paki south to Puketitri, Hawkes Bay and including Poor Knights, Little Barrier and Great Barrier Islands.[1]

Ecology and Habitat

Adults have been found between September and March.[1]

It inhabits a wide variety of moist indigenous forest types but usually with podocarps.[6]

Larvae have been sieved from rotten wood on the floor of a mixed podocarp/broadleaf forest or extracted from moss or from bryophytes on a ditch wall.[1]

Behaviour

Z. zonodoxa are day flying moths and have been seen visiting the flowers of Nikau in large numbers.[4] They have been collecting using UV light.[1]

References
  1. Gibbs, G W (30 June 2014). "Micropterigidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 72: 1–127. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.72. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  2. "Palaeomicra zonodoxa Meyrick, 1888". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  3. Meyrick, Edward (1888). "Descriptions on New Zealand Tineina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 20: 77–106 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. Hoare, Robert (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Auckland: New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd. p. 14. ISBN 9781869663995.
  5. "Zealandopterix zonodoxa (Meyrick, 1888)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  6. George W. Gibbs (2010). "Micropterigidae (Lepidoptera) of the Southwestern Pacific: a revision with the establishment of five new genera from Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand" (PDF). Magnolia Press.


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