Zealandopterix zonodoxa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zealandopterix zonodoxa |
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Zealandopterix zonodoxa is a moth of the family Micropterigidae. It is found in northern New Zealand.
Taxonomy and naming
Zealandopterix zonodoxa was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1888 as Palaeomicra zonodoxa.
Description
The forewing length is 2.6 millimetres (0.10 in) for males and 3 millimetres (0.12 in) for females. The forewing ground colour is dark brownish-black with strong purplish-bronze reflections. There is a maximum of five and a minimum of three shining white fasciae comprising: a short basal triangular streak, which is consistently present, in the centre of the wing, contiguous with the tegula. Secondly, a transverse band at mid-length, either as a continuous broad line or only partly represented in the form of either a bold triangular patch on the dorsum or triangular patches on both the costa and the dorsum. Furthermore, a much smaller costal patch and a few white scales in the apex present in all specimens. The fringes are long along the termen and largely dark brownish-black, white-tipped and wholly white around the apex. The hindwing is greyish-brown with bronzy-purple reflections. The fringes are grey-brown.
The shiny white markings on the forewing of this species is variable.
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is known from the northern North Island of New Zealand, from Te Paki south to Puketitri, Hawkes Bay and including Poor Knights, Little Barrier and Great Barrier Islands.
Ecology and Habitat
Adults have been found between September and March.
It inhabits a wide variety of moist indigenous forest types but usually with podocarps.
Larvae have been sieved from rotten wood on the floor of a mixed podocarp/broadleaf forest or extracted from moss or from bryophytes on a ditch wall.
Behaviour
Z. zonodoxa are day flying moths and have been seen visiting the flowers of Nikau in large numbers. They have been collecting using UV light.
