Planotortrix excessana, the greenheaded leafroller, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It is native to New Zealand and is an introduced species in Hawaii. It is extremely variable in appearance and feeds on many native and introduced species. It is regarded as a pest of some agricultural and forestry crops.
Asterivora combinatana is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed at locations in both the North and South Islands. The larvae feed on Senecio bellidioides and Brachyglottis repanda either from within a silken gallery or alternatively a silken curtain under which they feed. It is double brooded with adults being on the wing from September until November and again from February until April. This species is a day flying moth. It is extremely variable both in colouration and in size. The female tends to be larger and paler than the male of the species.
Erechthias chionodira is a species of moth of the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1880. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed on both the North and South Islands. E. chionodira inhabits native forest. Larvae likely feed on dead plant debris or on the tough leaves of plants such as flax. Adults are on the wing from September until February. During the day they can be seen at rest on tree trunks or fences. Adults are attracted to light.
Pterophorus innotatalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North, South and Ruapuke Islands. Adults of this species have been recorded as being on the wing from October to March as well as in August and prefers to inhabit grass or fern covered hills. The larvae are leaf miners and feed on Dichondra species, including Dichondra brevifolia and Dichondra repens.
Rhapsa scotosialis, the slender owlet moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. It is regarded as one of the most common forest moths found in New Zealand. The larval host species for R. scotosialis is Piper excelsum.
Rhathamictis perspersa is a moth of the family Psychidae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1924. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Wellington region. Larvae of this species build small protective cases in which they hide and feed. The cases are brown and are neat in construction. The larvae live under the loose bark of trees and feed on inert animal matter. The adults have been observed on the wing in February and March.
Reductoderces araneosa is a moth of the family Psychidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the lower part of the South Island. The preferred habitat of R. araneosa is on the edge of native beech forest. The larvae construct a case made from silk, moss and lichens and emerge from it to feed. The female of this species is wingless. The males of this species are on the wing in November and February and have been captured in the early morning.
Erechthias acrodina is a species of moth of the family Tineidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North, South and the Chatham Islands. This species inhabits native forest often near Phormium species and have also been observed on dead Leptospermum scrub. Larvae has been reared from decaying Phormium leaves. Adults are on the wing from October to February.
Erechthias charadrota is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1880. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest and the larvae likely feed on either deceased plant detritus or tough leaves of plants such as palms or flax. Adults are on the wing commonly from October to February and it is likely this species has two broods per year. Adults have been trapped via a blacklight.
Erechthias chasmatias is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1880. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island. This species inhabits native bush. Adults are on the wing from October to April and have been collected by beating small trees and foliage.
Erechthias crypsimima is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1920. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North Island. This species inhabits native forest and has been observed in Nothofagus fusca forest. The larvae likely feed on either deceased plant detritus or tough leaves of plants such as palms or flax. Adults are on the wing commonly from January to March. During the day adults are known to rest of tree trunks where the moth's colouration helps provide protection by camouflaging the moth.
Erechthias decoranda is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1925. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Chatham Islands. Larvae of species in the genus Erechthias feed on dead plant debris or the tough leaves of plants such as palms. Adults are on the wing in October, December and March.
Erechthias exospila is a species of moth of the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1901. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North Island as well as the Poor Knights and D'Urville Islands. This species inhabits native forest. Larvae of species in the genus Erechthias feed on dead plant debris or the tough leaves of plants such as palms. E. exospila frequents the dead leaves of Astelia. Adults have been observed in November and February. Specimens of this species have been collected via malaise trap and beating shrubs.
Erechthias externella is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1864. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native scrub. The larvae likely feed on either deceased plant detritus or tough leaves of plants such as palms or flax. Adults are sun-lovers and appear on the wing in October. They actively fly in the afternoon when their movements are rapid and can be hard to follow. They have also been trapped using blacklight.
Erechthias hemiclistra is a species of moth of the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest and has an affinity for species in the genera Phormium,Cortaderia and Cordyline, likely as a result of its larvae feeding on dead fibre sourced from plant species in these genera. Adults are on the wing from September to April but are most commonly observed in December and January. Adults are also attracted to light.
Erechthias macrozyga is a species of moth of the family Tineidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1916. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits lowland native forest. Adult moths are on the wing from October to February.
Erechthias stilbella is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Doubleday in 1843. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest and bush and can also be found in domestic gardens. Larvae feed on dead plant debris or tough leaves of plants such as palms. Adults are on the wing from October until March. Adults rest on tree trunks or fences during the day.
Erechthias terminella is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1863. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North and in the upper parts of the South Islands. It inhabits native forest. The larvae of E. terminella feed under a web of silk and frass on the seeds as well as possibly the pods of Phormium tenax and are also known to feed on the fruits of plant species such as Meryta sinclairii. Larva are generally sluggish but can be very agile when disturbed. Adults are on the wing throughout the year and are attracted to light.
Chalastra pellurgata, also known as the brown fern moth or the pale fern looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. This species is extremely variable both in its larval and adult life stage. Larvae of this species are active during spring and summer. They feed on the fronds of fern species. C. pellurgata pupates by forming a thin cocoon on the soil amongst leaf litter and moss. Adults are on the wing throughout the year but are most common from September to March. During the day adult moths can be observed resting on dead fern fronds. They become active from dusk and are attracted to light.
Trachypepla contritella, the Kiwi Enigma, is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. Originally endemic to New Zealand this species can be found throughout that country. However, from 2012 this species has been also been recorded in the United Kingdom. The preferred habitat of T. conritella is New Zealand native forest and larvae of this species are litter leaf feeders. Adults are on the wing from November to February in New Zealand and are attracted to light.
