Philocryptica

Philocryptica is a monotypic genus of moths belonging to the subfamily Tortricinae of the family Tortricidae.[1] It contains only one species, Philocryptica polypodii, the leather-leaf star-miner, which is found in New Zealand, where it has been recorded from both the North Island and the South Island (as far south as Banks Peninsula).[2]

Philocryptica
Philocryptica polypodii illustration by Des Helmore
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Tortricidae
Subfamily:
Tortricinae
Genus:
Philocryptica

Meyrick, 1923
Species:
P. polypodii
Binomial name
Philocryptica polypodii
(Watt, 1921)
Synonyms
  • Harmologa polypodii Watt, 1921

The wingspan is about 10 mm. The forewings are light brown, shaded with reddish brown towards the wing tip.

The larvae feed on Pyrrosia eleagnifolia, mining the leaves. Young larvae create a number of mines radiating from the base. Older larvae create a large blotch mine. Full-grown larvae reach a length of 12–14 mm.[3]

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See also

References
  1. Baixeras, J.; Brown, J. W. & Gilligan, T. M. "Online World Catalogue of the Tortricidae". Tortricidae.com. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
  2. Patrick, B. 2015: Leather-leaf fern's moth fauna. Weta, 49: 23-27. [See p. 24, and fig. 2 (In error as Phyllocrypta polypodii in caption)]
  3. Leather-leaf star-miner - Philocryptica polypodii


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