Trachypepla conspicuella
| Trachypepla conspicuella | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Oecophoridae |
| Genus: | Trachypepla |
| Species: | T. conspicuella
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| Binomial name | |
| Trachypepla conspicuella | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Trachypepla conspicuella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae.[1][2] It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands. It is similar in appearance to its close relative T. euryleucota but tends to be paler. Its colouration imitates bird droppings. Larvae feed on leaf litter. Adults of this species are on the wing from November to February and have been observed resting on fences and walls.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by
Description
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Walker described the adults of this species as follows:
Male. Blackish, cinereous beneath, allied to Oecophora. Palpi blackish, stout, much longer than the breadth of the head ; third joint lanceolate, a little shorter than the second. Antennae smooth, much shorter than the fore wings. Thorax white, except in front. Abdomen cinereous. Tarsi with blackish bands. Wings rather broad, rounded at the tips ; fringe long. Fore wings brownish cinereous along the interior border (except towards the base) and on full one-third of the length from the exterior border ; a white band which is dilated on the interior border to the base of the wing, and has two black spots on the outer side ; a whitish transverse line at three-fourths of the length, much dilated in front, bordered with black on the inner side; exterior border slightly convex, very oblique. Hind wings aeneous-cinereous. Length of the body 3 lines ; of the wings 9 — 10 lines.[3]
This species is variable in appearance but can be recognised by its brown thorax and pale basal patch.[6] Darker specimens of this species can be confused with specimens of T. euryleucota.[6] Hudson was of the opinion that the colouration of T. conspicuella imitates bird droppings.[6]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North and South Islands.[7][6] Other than the type locality of Nelson, this species has been collected at Wellington, Christchurch and Lake Wakatipu.[6][8]
Host species
Meyrick hypothesised that the larvae of this species may feed on
Behaviour
Adults are on the wing from November to February. This moth is frequently observed resting on human made structures such as fences or walls and is known to enter houses.[6]
References
- ^ Wikidata Q45922947.
- ^ Wikidata Q45083134.
- ^ Wikidata Q110191308)
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ^ Felder, Cajetan; Rogenhofer, Alois Friedrich (1864–1867). "Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara". Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. Von Wüllerstorf-Urbair (in German). pt.9:Bd.2:Abt.2 (1864-1867) Atlas: Plate CHL fig 45 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- Wikidata Q63976486.
- ^ Wikidata Q58593286
- ^ "Trachypepla conspicuella (Walker, 1864)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
- ^ Scott Hooson (27 January 2015). Christchurch District Plan Site of Ecological Significance Lake Forsyth North Side (PDF) (Report). Christchurch City Council. p. 16. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- Wikidata Q112113257.
- Wikidata Q107569572.
- ^ Wikidata Q105344868.