| Izatha mesoschista | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Oecophoridae |
| Genus: | Izatha |
| Species: | I. mesoschista |
| Binomial name | |
| Izatha mesoschista Meyrick, 1931 | |
Izatha mesoschista is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1931 [1] using seven specimens collected by George Hudson in Wellington during the months of December and January. [2] Hudson discussed and illustrated the species in his 1928 work The butterflies and moths of New Zealand under the name Izatha balanophora [3] but later corrected his taxonomic error in 1939. [4]
The larva of this species has not been described. [5]
The adult moth has a wingspan of 15.5–21 mm for males and 17–25 mm for females. [5] Adults are on wing from October to February. [5]
The appearance of the adult moths of this species is variable and as a result it was originally confused with Izatha balanophora . [5] However it can be distinguished from this species as I. mesoschista has a bold black line in the middle of the disk on its forewings. [2] This line also assists in distinguishing I. mesoschista from Izatha epiphanes. [5] Other than using their collection location as a guide, it is difficult to distinguish between I. mesoschista and Izatha haumu . [6] I. haumu is found at the top of the North Island and I. mesochista is present south of this locality, over the rest of the North Island. [7] However a male I. mesoschista can be distinguished from both I. haumu and I. epiphanes by the species characteristic three pronged tip of its genitalia. [5]
I. mesoschista is endemic to New Zealand. [8] [9] This species has been found throughout the North Island, except the Aupouri Peninsula, Hawkes Bay or the Wairarapa. [5] It is regarded as one of the most common and widespread species in the genus Izatha to be found in the North Island. [5]
Specimens have been reared from Populus species, presumably from the dead wood, and also from pine logs. [5] Larvae of this species have also been extracted or reared from Coriaria arborea and Coprosma species. [7]
This species is readily attracted to light. [5]
Izatha is a genus of moths of the family Oecophoridae. They are commonly known as lichen tuft moths. This genus is endemic to New Zealand.
Izatha attactella is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from both the North and South Islands as far south as mid-Canterbury. Larvae of this species feed on the soft inner surface of the bark of dead trees and shrubs. Adults have been recorded from September to December.
Izatha voluptuosa is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "Not Threatened" by the Department of Conservation.
Izatha austera is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The larvae of this species feed on dead wood by tunnelling into branches of its host species. The larvae matures from September and is on the wing in the months of December to January. The adult moth is variable in colouration but is seldom observed.
Izatha psychra is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation. In 2020 it was feared that this moth was extinct as a result of a fire at the Pukaki Scientific Reserve, the last known locality of this species. However a 2021 survey found I. psychra present in the small portion of the reserve that was not damaged by the fire.
Izatha copiosella is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is found on the south-eastern parts of the North Island and throughout the South Island except the West Coast. Larvae are found in dead wood and are likely to use kōwhai species as hosts. The adults are night fliers and are attracted to light. They are on the wing in January and February.
Izatha apodoxa is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from scattered localities in the southern North Island. This species is variable in appearance and comes in two forms, a grey form and a black and white form. In the grey form it is very similar in appearance to I. notodoxa and in the black and white form to I. katadiktya. At present the larvae and biology of this species is unknown.
Izatha metadelta is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the North Island only. It is rare north of Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
Izatha balanophora is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is widespread in the North Island. Larvae live off the dead bark of kānuka. The adult moths are on the wing during December to March.
Izatha dulcior is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. I. dulcior is the first lepidoptera species described as endemic to the Poor Knights Islands.
Izatha quinquejacula is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. It is only found on the Three Kings Islands.
Izatha heroica is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is widespread in the west part of the South Island. It has been collected in southern beech forests but larvae have been reared on dead kanuka or manuka bushes.
Izatha hudsoni is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is widespread throughout the North Island.
Izatha prasophyta is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the North Island, except Hawkes Bay or the Wairarapa. Larvae likely feed on rotting wood although larvae of this species have been reared on the fruiting body of the bracket fungus Bjerkandera adusta. Adults are on the wing from November to February.
Izatha caustopa is a lichen tuft moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known very locally, and very infrequently, from the southern half of the North Island: two specimens collected in 2016 were the first seen for 30 years. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Izatha manubriata is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the southern South Island only.
Izatha rigescens is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as having the conservation status of "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation. It is only known from the Wellington coast. This species has not been seen since 1929.
Gymnobathra origenes is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is in need of taxonomic revision and it has been hypothesised that it belongs to the family Gelechiidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation. This species is known from only one specimen.
Leptocroca xyrias is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. The taxonomy of this species is in need of revision and L. xyrias likely belongs to a separate genus. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation.
Trachypepla importuna is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1927. This moth is regarded as having been introduced to New Zealand and is presumed to be native to Australia. T. importuna has been collected in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It inhabits native scrub and adults are on the wing in January and February. The placement of this species in the genus Trachypepla is regarded as being unsatisfactory and in need of revision.
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