| Doxophyrtis hydrocosma | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Plutellidae |
| Genus: | Doxophyrtis |
| Species: | D. hydrocosma |
| Binomial name | |
| Doxophyrtis hydrocosma | |
Doxophyrtis hydrocosma, also known as the Nikau Palm moth, is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. [2] [3] It is endemic to New Zealand.
The wingspan of this species is between 8.5 and 11 mm. [4] The cocoons of this species are oval shaped with flat spread out edges. [4]
This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North Island and in the north-west of Nelson. [1] [4]
This species inhabits native forest particularly forest on the coast. The larvae of this species feed on the berries of Nikau palm trees. [4] They spin the berries together with silk threads and when fully mature the larvae travel down to the trunk of the palm to pupate there in white-brown cocoons. [4]
Adults are on the wing all through the year. [4] They have been observed resting, in a head down position, on Nikau palms. [4] Often adults can be observed near the cocoons of their larvae. [4] Although they are nocturnal they are only occasionally attracted to light. [4]
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