| Izatha mesoschista | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| 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]
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