Cocksfoot stem borer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cocksfoot stem borer
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Phryganostola achlyoessa Meyrick, 1880

Glyphipterix achlyoessa, commonly known as the cocksfoot stem borer, is a species of moth in the family Glyphipterigidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1880 and named Phryganostola achlyoessa. Meyrick used material he collected at the Wellington Botanic Garden at dusk in January. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under the name Glyphipterix achlyoessa in 1928.

The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:

Head and thorax whitish-grey. Palpi whitish-grey, mixed with dark fuscous, second joint beneath with a long loose prejecting fringe of hairs. Antennae dark fuscous. Abdomen elongate, dark fuscous. Legs pale ochreous-grey. Fore-wings elongate, narrow, hind-margin strongly sinuate below apex; pale whitish-grey, faintly strigulated transversely with darker; a few solitary black scales, tending to be arranged longitudinally on fold and lower median vein ; cilia whitish, with an obscure dark fuscous apical hook, basal f separated by a blackish line and dark smoky-grey. Hind-wings and cilia fuscous-grey.

Distribution

This moth is endemic to New Zealand and found throughout the country. It is regarded as being common.

Lifecycle and behaviour

This species is on the wing from October to December. When disturbed it is likely to fly a short distance before landing on a grass stem.

Habitat and host plant

This species prefers to inhabit meadows and grassy open spaces. It appears to prefer introduced grass species. A host plant for this species is Dactylis glomerata. Larvae have also been found boring into Juncus species.

Images for kids

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  Female Glyphipterix achlyoessa.

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  Male Glyphipterix achlyoessa.

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  Larval host species Dactylis glomerata.