Planotortrix avicenniae
Planotortrix avicenniae | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Tortricidae |
Genus: | Planotortrix |
Species: | P. avicenniae
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Binomial name | |
Planotortrix avicenniae | |
Synonyms | |
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Planotortrix avicenniae is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the North Island and its larvae feed on mangrove trees.
Taxonomy and etymology
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Planotortrix_avicenniae.jpg/220px-Planotortrix_avicenniae.jpg)
This species was first described in 1990 by John S. Dugdale.[1][2] The holotype specimen in held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. The species name refers to Avicennia, the genus of the larval host plant.[2]
Description
The female of the species can be difficult to distinguish from the females of P. excessana and P. octo.[2] However the larvae of P. avicenniae are distinctive.[2] Unlike the green headed and bodied larvae of P. excessana and P. octo they are grey greenish in colour with a brownish head.[2]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][3] It has only been observed in the North Island in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel, and the Bay of Plenty.[2]
Biology and behaviour
The larvae of this species web together and feed on the leaves of their host plant.[4]
Habitat and host species
The larvae feed only on the mangrove tree species Avicennia marina.[4][5]
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ a b c "Planotortrix avicenniae Dugdale, 1990". www.nzor.org.nz. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- ^ .
- Wikidata Q45922947.
- ^ a b "Planotortrix avicenniae Dugdale, 1990 Herbivore report". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- OCLC 935885049.