Phycomorpha metachrysa
| Phycomorpha metachrysa | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
| Illustration by George Hudson | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | P. metachrysa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Phycomorpha metachrysa | |
Phycomorpha metachrysa, the milktree fruit moth, is a species of
Taxonomy
This species was first described by
Description
.jpg)
Meyrick described this species as follows:
♂♀. 19-20 mm. Head pale greenish-ochreous, forehead mixed with purplish and spotted with dark fuscous. Palpi purplish-fuscous irrorated with dark fuscous, edges of second joint sprinkled with whitish, terminal joint half second, blackish, base and apex whitish. Thorax pale ochreous mixed with purplish and spotted with dark fuscous, crest olive-green. Fore-wings elongate, rather dilated posteriorly, costa slightly arched, apex rounded-obtuse, termen rounded, somewhat oblique ; dull purple sprinkled with blackish, tips of scales golden-metallic ; costa and dorsum strigulated and spotted with blackish ; basal and discal areas irregularly marked with dull greenish and black ; in one specimen a large trapezoidal whitish-ochreous blotch extending on dorsum from 1⁄4 to tornus and reaching more than half across wing, narrowed upwards ; cilia bronzy-grey barred with blackish. Hindwings and cilia grey.[3]
The wingspan is 19–20 mm.[3] Adults are dark green with raised scale-tufts on the forewings.[5] Hudson states that this species is considerably variable with some specimens having forewings that are a dull olive green colour.[4] Other specimens have a cream white patch on the dorsum which extends about halfway across the forewing. However, despite this variability this species is able to be recognised by its unusual antennae and the scale tufts on its forewings.[5]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands.
Behaviour
The adults of this species is on the wing from October until April.[5]
Host species
The larvae feed on the fruit of
References
- ^ "NZOR Name Details - Phycomorpha metachrysa Meyrick, 1914". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- ^ Wikidata Q45922947.
- ^ Wikidata Q98606535.
- ^ Wikidata Q45083134.
- ^ Wikidata Q58593286
- ^ "Phycomorpha metachrysa". Auckland Museum collections online. 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Hooton, Scott (17 December 2014). "Christchurch District Plan. Site of Ecological Significance. Decanter Bay" (PDF). districtplan.ccc.govt.nz. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ Hoare, R. (2004). "The Duke's Awful Dilemma (or, the DAD)". The Weta. 27: 49–52.
- ^ "Phycomorpha metachrysa Meyrick, 1914". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2013. Retrieved 2022-01-08.