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Erechthias capnitis

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Species of moth found in Norfolk Island and New Zealand

Erechthias capnitis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tineidae
Genus: Erechthias
Species: E. capnitis
Binomial name
Erechthias capnitis
(Turner, 1918)
Synonyms
  • Tinea capnitis Turner, 1918
  • Empaesta capnitis (Turner, 1918)

Erechthias capnitis is a moth of the family Tineidae, first described by Alfred Jefferis Turner in 1918. It is originally endemic to Norfolk Island and is recorded as having arrived in New Zealand by 1977. This species can be found in the north half of the North Island of New Zealand as well as in New Plymouth and Wellington. Larvae feed on dry dead wood as well as on Cordyline australis. Adult moths are on the wing throughout the year and are attracted to light.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Alfred Jefferis Turner in 1918 and was originally named Tinea capnitis. In 1956 John David Bradley placed this species in the genus Empaesta.

Distribution

Erechthias capnitis in New Zealand.

This species is found in Norfolk Island and is widespread in the north half of the North Island. It was first recorded in New Zealand in 1977. As at 2024 it has also been recorded in New Plymouth and Wellington.

Description

Turner described this species as follows:

♂, 17-18 mm. Head fuscous-whitish. Palpi 2+1⁄2; fuscous, inner surface whitish. Antennae pale fuscous; in male with joints enlarged at apices, minutely ciliated. Thorax fuscous. Abdomen ochreous-whitish, suffused with fuscous on dorsum. Legs fuscous ; tibiae and tarsi annulated with ochreous-whitish; posterior pair almost wholly ochreous-whitish. Forewings moderate, not dilated, costa strongly arched, apex pointed, termen very obliquely rounded; ochreous-whitish rather densely irrorated with fuscous ; absence of irroration leaves an obscure pale dorsal streak containing some fuscous scales near margin ; very obscure fuscous discal dots at 1⁄3 and 2⁄3; cilia fuscous. Hindwings and cilia grey-whitish.

Behaviour

The adults of this moth are on the wing throughout the year and are attracted to light.

Host species

The larvae of E. capnitis feed on dry dead wood or stems as well as on Cordyline australis.

References

  1. ^ "NZOR Name Details - Erechthias capnitis (Turner, 1918)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  2. ^ Alfred Jefferis Turner (1918). "Further notes on some moths from Lord Hewe and Norfolk islands in the South Australian museum". Transactions and proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia (Incorporated). 42: 288. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. John David Bradley (1956). "Microlepidoptera from Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island". Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology. 4: 145–164.
  4. RJB Hoare; N Hudson (December 2018). "Adventive moths (Lepidoptera) established in mainland New Zealand: Additions and new identifications since 2001". Australian Entomologist. 45 (3): 273–324. ISSN 1320-6133. Wikidata Q110305107.
  5. "Erechthias capnitis (Turner, 1918)". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  6. ^ Carey Knox (2024). Butterflies & Moths of Aotearoa New Zealand. John Beaufoy Publishing. p. 137. ISBN 978-1-913679-66-8. Wikidata Q130640046.
Taxon identifiers
Erechthias capnitis
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