| Izatha spheniscella | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Oecophoridae |
| Genus: | Izatha |
| Species: | I. spheniscella |
| Binomial name | |
| Izatha spheniscella | |
Izatha spheniscella 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 subantarctic Snares Islands.
This species was first described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2010. [1] The species epithet is a female diminutive of Spheniscus , a penguin, and refers to the female moth's brachyptery and to the rocky subantarctic island habitat. [2] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. [2]
The wingspan of the adult moth is 14–15 mm for males and about 14 mm for females. [2] The only species that I. spheniscella may be confused with is I. oleariae as this is the only related species that also inhabits the Snares Islands. [2] However the two species are easily distinguished as the male I. spheniscella is shorter winged and is darker in appearance. [2] The female I. spheniscella is even more distinct as it is brachypterous where as the female I. oleariae is full winged. [2]
This species is endemic to New Zealand. [1] It is only found on the Snares Islands. [2]
Little is known of the biology of this species. [2] Pupae have been found amongst green algae, the presumed larval host plant, on an overhanging granite rock on Rima Islet, part of the Western Chain of the Snares. [2] The male paratype from Alert Stack was found amongst crustose lichens, suggesting these may also be fed on by larvae. [2] The larvae of this species is unknown. [2] Adults have been recorded on the wing in December and February. [2]
This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [3]
Stigmella laqueorum is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only been found on Snares Islands / Tini Heke. The egg is laid on the underside leaf. Larvae are leaf miners. The mine is narrow, serpentine, rather scribble-like and close to the upper epidermal layer, widening terminally. There may be up to 20 mines per leaf. Larvae are present in all months. The cocoon is attached to fallen large debris or trunk bases. Adults have been recorded on the wing from late November to February. They are diurnal, flying only in the morning. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
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 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 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 walkerae is a lichen tuft moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
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 haumu 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 believed to only inhabit the Aupouri Peninsula.
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 taingo 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 known from the Aupouri Peninsula of Northland.
Izatha oleariae 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 Snares Islands.
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 dasydisca 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.
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 gekkonella is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is only known from the region of the Taieri and Shag River catchments in eastern Otago.
Izatha gibbsi is a species 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 named for George W. Gibbs.
Izatha minimira 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.
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.
Hierodoris extensilis is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in Fiordland where it has been collected from Mount Titiroa and Mount Burns. It occurs in granite sand plains and gravel field habitat and has been collected in early February. As at 2012 the host plant of the larvae of this species is unknown but it has been hypothesised that the larvae may feed on plant roots given the long ovipositor of the female. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Hierodoris polita is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the Central Otago region and in the Dunedin area. As at 2005 the larvae have yet to be identified. However it is possible that a specimen may have been collected in leaf litter thus leading to the hypothesis that the species may be a detritivore. The adults of this species prefer open habitat and have mainly been collected on south-facing rocky bluffs. The adult moths are on the wing in October, November and January to March. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
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