The Hepialidae are a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. Moths of this family are often referred to as swift moths or ghost moths.
Abantiades latipennis, known as the Pindi moth, is a species of moth in the family Hepialidae. It may also be referred to as a swift moth or a ghost moth, as this is a common name associated with Hepialidae. Endemic to Australia and identified in 1932, it is most populous in temperate rainforest where eucalypti are prevalent, as the larvae feed primarily on the roots of these trees. Females lay eggs during flight in a scattering fashion. The larvae live for over eighteen months underground, while adult moths survive for approximately one week, as they have no mouthparts with which to feed. The moths are preyed upon by a number of predators, including bats and owls. Brown in colour overall, males are paler and the identifying silver bars of the male's wings are more prominent than those of the female's, with dark margins. Male adults are generally smaller.
Aoraia aspina is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It was described by John S. Dugdale in 1994 from specimens collected in the Tasman, Otago and Southland districts. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Aoraia aurimaculata is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It was described by Alfred Philpott in 1914 from a specimen collected at The Hermitage, Mount Cook by F. S. Oliver. This holotype specimen is now lost. A. aurimaculata is endemic to New Zealand,
Aoraia dinodes is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth was described by Edward Meyrick in 1890 from specimens collected in Invercargill by Captain Hutton.
Aoraia flavida is a species of moth from the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species was described by John S. Dugdale in 1994 from specimens obtained near Gem Lake in the Umbrella Mountains in Southland and collected by B. H. Patrick.
Aoraia insularis, also known as the Rakiura ghost moth, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found on only on Stewart Island and Steward Island's surrounding smaller islands. It was described by John S. Dugdale in 1994.
Aoraia lenis is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was described by John S. Dugdale in 1994.
Aoraia macropis is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the mountains of southern Central Otago. It was described by John S. Dugdale in 1994.
Aoraia oreobolae is a species of moth in the family Hepialidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Aoraia rufivena, also known as the rufous-veined aoraia or the Otago ghost moth, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. A. rufivena was described by John S. Dugdale in 1994.
Aoraia senex is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the South Island. This species was first described by George Vernon Hudson in 1908 from specimens discovered by J. H. Lewis in Central Otago.
Dumbletonius characterifer is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1865.
Dumbletonius unimaculatus, also known as the forest ghost moth, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is host to the vegetable caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps robertsii.
Ichneutica mollis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found from the Coromandel peninsular and Mount Te Aroha southwards including in the South and Stewart Islands. It lives in a variety of habitats including mountainous beech forest, podocarp forest and also grasslands. The larvae feed on grasses and herbs. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to March and are attracted to light and feed on blossoms.
Hierodoris atychioides is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. The female holotype specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London. This species is endemic to New Zealand, and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The larvae form webs of silk attached to frass and leaves on their hosts in which they shelter, often in the company of other larvae in their species. Their feeding habits have not been observed in detail but Hoare hypothesises the larvae may feed on dead or dying leaves. The larvae feed on a wide range of trees and shrubs, including Dacrydium cupressinum, Prumnopitys taxifolia, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, Libocedrus bidwillii, Cupressus macrocarpa, Leptospermum scoparium, Kunzea ericoides, Ozothamnus leptophyllus, Abies, Picea, Pinus and Thuja species. Although they are regarded as a pest of exotic forests in New Zealand, the economic damage the larvae cause is minimal and they tend to be controlled only by their natural enemies. Larval enemies include the parasitic flies Trigonospila brevifacies and Pales funesta as well as parasitic wasps including Xanthopimpla rhopaloceros. The adult moths are day flying and are most common during the months of December and January. This species is variable in appearance as larvae, pupa and as adults, and it has been hypothesised that it is in the process of speciation.
Buller's moth is a possibly extinct moth that is endemic to New Zealand. It is known from a single specimen caught in the Ruahine Range by Sir Walter Buller while on an expedition searching for the huia in the summer of 1867. Buller named it Porina mairi in honour of his brother-in-law Captain Gilbert Mair. Buller described the species as having a wingspan of almost 6 inches (150 mm). It is this wingspan that rules out the specimen being associated with species such as Dumbletonius characterifer.
Dasyuris enysii is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Tingena griseata is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in North Canterbury. The larvae of this species are leaf litter feeders.
Dichromodes niger is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the lower part of the South Island and upper half of the North Island. It inhabits rocky sites or forest clearings. The larvae feed on lichen. Adults are day flying, are rapid fliers, and are on the wing from November until January.
