Batrachedra litterata facts for kids

Batrachedra litterata is a species of moth in the family Batrachedridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

Taxonomy

This species was first described in 1928 by Alfred Philpott from specimens collected by Dr A. J. Turner in Greymouth in February. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species both in his1939 book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.

Description

Philpott described this species as follows:

♀. 10–11 mm. Head and thorax whitish-ochreous. Palpi whitish-ochreous, marked with brown outwardly. Antennae ochreous annulated with brown. Legs whitish-ochreous, anterior pair infuscated, tarsi faintly annulated with paler. Forewings whitish-ochreous, darker apically, round apex black: fringes greyish-fuscous, round apex ochreous. Hindwings greyish-fuscous.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. Along with its type locality of Greymouth, this species has also been collected in Claverley, in Canterbury.

Host

B. litterata have been reared on the fern species Blechnum chambersii.

Images for kids

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  Illustration of B. litterata.

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  B. chambersii, host species of B. litterata.