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Izatha peroneanella
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Oecophoridae
Genus:	Izatha
Species:	I. peroneanella
Binomial name
Izatha peroneanella (Walker, 1864)
Synonyms
Gelechia peroneanella Walker, 1864 Gelechia adapertella Walker, 1864 Cryptolechia lichenella Walker, 1864

Izatha peroneanella, also known as the small lichen moth or the green lichen tuft, is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is found throughout the North Island, other than the Aupouri Peninsula of Northland.

Description

The wingspan is 15–24.5 mm for males and 17–29.5 mm for females. This moth has pale green forewings with patches of raised black scales that camouflage it well when it rests on lichens. The colouration of this moth is variable with the pale green forewings sometimes being white while in another form the black tufts are coloured brown.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the North Island with the exception of the Aupouri Peninsula.

Biology and behaviour

Larvae of this species grow to approximately 16mm long and pupate in early November within its tunnel. There is one generation per year. Adults are on wing from September to early April. They are attracted to light.

Habitat and host species

This species is commonly found near native forest.

Larvae have been recorded feeding on the dead wood of a variety of angiosperm species. They bore tunnels into the wood. The larvae usually prefer standing dead trees rather than wood found on the forest floor. Larvae have been reared from Alseuosmia species, Carpodetus serratus, Coprosma grandifolia, Coriaria arborea, Fuchsia excorticata, Nestegis species, Pseudopanax arboreus, Ripogonum scandens, Sophora species and Wisteria species.

References

1. ^ Early, John (2009). Know your New Zealand-- native insects & spiders. Auckland, N.Z.: New Holland. p. 150. ISBN 978-1869662530.
2. ^ Hoare, R. J. B. (2010). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201. ISBN 978-0-478-34725-8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
3. "Izatha peroneanella (Walker, 1864)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
4. "PlantSynz - Invertebrate herbivore biodiversity assessment tool: Database". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 8 July 2018.

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• Oecophorinae
• Moths of New Zealand
• Taxa named by Francis Walker (entomologist)
• Endemic fauna of New Zealand
• Moths described in 1864
• Endemic moths of New Zealand
• Oecophoridae stubs