Izatha voluptuosa

Izatha voluptuosa is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "Not Threatened" by the Department of Conservation.

Izatha voluptuosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Oecophoridae
Genus:
Izatha
Species:
I. voluptuosa
Binomial name
Izatha voluptuosa
Hoare, 2010[1]

Taxonomy and etymology

This species was described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2010.[1] I. voluptuosa was first collected by George Hudson at Ohakune in January 1912.[2] However the species was misidentified.[2] Hudson illustrated the species in his 1928 book The butterflies & moths of New Zealand.[2][3] The holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.[4] This species is, along with the species I. attactella and I. blepharidota, monophyletic.[5] The epithet is obtained from the Latin word voluptuosus and refers to the large size and broad wings of the female of this species.[2]

Description

The larvae of I. voluptuose have yet to be described.[2]

The wingspan is 29–31 mm for males and 33–40 mm for females.[2] The female of this species has the greatest wingspan of gelechioid moths in New Zealand.[2] The species appears similar to I. attactella and I. blepharidota.[2] I. voluptuose can be distinguished from I. attactella as I. voluptuose has a wider forewing, has less conspicuous scale-tufts, and a shorter dark basal streak.[2] I. voluptuose is also generally on the wing later in the season and in the male of that species the hook-like teeth on the right lobe of the phallus are backward pointing.[2] I. voluptuose can be distinguished from I. blepharidota as the veins on the forewings of I. voluptuosa are similar to the colour of the rest of the wing.[2]

Distribution

It is endemic to New Zealand.[1] It is known from scattered localities in North Island in the following areas: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Taupo and Rangitikei.[2]

Biology and behaviour

Adults are on wing from November to February with the moths being most prevalent in January and February.[2]

Host species and habitat

Larvae have been reared from rotten logs including those of Weinmannia racemosa.[2]

Conservation Status

This species has been classified as being "Not Threatened" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[6]

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References
  1. "Izatha voluptuosa Hoare, 2010". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  2. Hoare, R. J. B. (2010). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201. ISBN 9780478347258.
  3. Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. pp. Plate XXV Fig. 26 & 27.
  4. "Izatha voluptuosa". www.AucklandMuseum.com. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  5. BENNIK, REBECCA M.; BUCKLEY, THOMAS R.; HOARE, ROBERT J. B.; HOLWELL, GREGORY I. (April 2016). "Molecular phylogeny reveals the repeated evolution of complex male genital traits in the New Zealand moth genus (Lepidoptera: Xyloryctidae)". Systematic Entomology. 41 (2): 309–322. doi:10.1111/syen.12155.
  6. Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). "Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 9.
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