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Doxophyrtis hydrocosma

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Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Doxophyrtis hydrocosma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Plutellidae
Genus: Doxophyrtis
Species: D. hydrocosma
Binomial name
Doxophyrtis hydrocosma
Meyrick, 1914

Doxophyrtis hydrocosma, also known as the Nikau Palm moth, is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. It is endemic to New Zealand.

Description

Cocoon

The wingspan of this species is between 8.5 to 11 mm. The cocoons of this species are oval shaped with flat spread out edges.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North Island and in the north-west of Nelson.

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits native forest particularly forest on the coast. The larvae of this species feed on the berries of Nikau palm trees. They spin the berries together with silk threads and when fully mature the larvae travel down to the trunk of the palm to pupate there in white-brown cocoons.

Behaviour

Adults are on the wing all through the year. They have been observed resting, in a head down position, on Nikau palms. Often adults can be observed near the cocoons of their larvae. Although they are nocturnal they are only occasionally attracted to light.

References

  1. ^ "Doxophyrtis hydrocosma Meyrick, 1914". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  2. Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 463. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
  3. Dugdale , J. S. (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 107. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
  4. ^ Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Olivier Ball. Auckland. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-86966-399-5. OCLC 891672034.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Taxon identifiers
Doxophyrtis hydrocosma


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