| Scythris nigra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male holotype | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Scythrididae |
| Genus: | Scythris |
| Species: | S. nigra |
| Binomial name | |
| Scythris nigra Philpott, 1931 | |
Scythris nigra is a species of moth in the family Scythrididae first described by Alfred Philpott in 1931. [1] It is endemic to New Zealand. The larvae of this species feeds on Hebe odora. The adults are day flying and on the wing in December.
This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1931 using specimens collected on Maungatua in December by C. E. Clarke. [2] The male holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. [3]
Philpott described this species as follows:
♂. 12 mm. Head, palpi, abdomen and thorax dark purplish fuscous. Antennae purplish fuscous, ciliations in ♂ ½. Legs dark purplish fuscous, tarsi without annulations. Forewings with costa moderately arched, bent at ⅓, apex acute, termen extremely oblique; dark purplish fuscous sparsely sprinkled with white scales: fringes dark fuscous. Hindwings and fringes dark fuscous. [2]
This species can be distinguished from the similar appearing S. triatma as it has a much darker appearance and lacks the bluish-slate colour that can be seen on the fore-wings of S. triatma. [4]
This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the lower parts of the South Island. [5] [4]
The adults of this species are day flying and on the wing in December. [4] [6]
S. nigra normally lives in alpine habitats however it can be also found at relatively low altitudes such as at Waitahuna Hill]] near Lake Mahinerangi. [7] The larvae of this species feed on Hebe odora . [8]
Asterivora tristis is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Tongariro National Park. Adults of this species are on the wing in January.
Eutorna inornata is a moth in the family Depressariidae. It was described by Alfred Philpott in 1927. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. The larvae of this moth are leaf minors of Selliera radicans.
Hierodoris frigida is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the South Island. This species is found in two parts of that island, the Nelson/Tasman area and the Mackenzie, Otago and Dunedin areas in the southern part of the island. Although similar to H. iophanes this species can be distinguished as H. frigida has white bands on its forewings and the metallic coloured areas differ in placement. Segment 2 on the labial palp is entirely yellow and enables this species to be distinguished from the similar appearing species H. polita and H. torrida. Larvae have been collected amongst leaf litter from beneath species within the genus Thymus. It prefers open and shrubland habitats and adult moths have been observed flying close to the soil underneath Leptospermum scrub.
Hierodoris squamea is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the mountains of Fiordland as well as the Olivine Range in south Westland. This species has a wingspan of between 12 and 13 mm and can be distinguished from similar species as it is very small in size, has a reduced eyespot on its forewings, clearly visible through Scanning Electron Microscope preparations, and has orange-yellow scales overlaying its dark forewing. It prefers open country of tussock grasslands and herbfields at high altitudes. As at 2005 the larvae is unknown. Adults are on the wing in January.
Hierodoris insignis is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the Nelson/Tasman districts. The larvae are leaf miners and are hosted by Celmisia species. Adults are on the wing in January. It is likely that this species belongs to another genus and as such this species is also known as Hierodoris (s.l.) insignis or 'Hierodoris' insignis.
Mallobathra angusta is a moth of the family Psychidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Mallobathra cana is a moth of the family Psychidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Mallobathra tonnoiri is a moth of the family Psychidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Tingena afflicta is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Tingena amiculata is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Nelson, Tasman and Canterbury regions. This species has been collected amongst Hebe species and shrubland at altitudes of up to 4500 ft. It is similar in appearance to its near relatives Tingena basella and Tingena laudata.
Tingena aurata is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The adults of the species are on the wing in November and December.
Tingena decora is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected at Lake Rotoroa and adults are on the wing in February.
Tingena grata is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the South Island. The adults of this species are on the wing from November to January.
Tingena laudata is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Fiordland and Otago. Adults of this species are on the wing in January.
Tingena monodonta is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in both the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native beech forest at altitudes of between 2500 - 3000 ft. The adults of the species are on the wing from November and December.
Tingena paula is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Canterbury. Adults of this species are on the wing in November.
Tingena siderodeta is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. This species prefers to inhabit native forest and scrubland but has also been found to be common in cultivated landscapes. The larvae are litter feeders and have been observed in Kanuka and Manuka forest. The adult moths are on the wing from October to February and are day flying but have also been trapped at night.
Trachypepla minuta is a moth of the family Oecophoridae first described by Alfred Philpott in 1931. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Auckland. Adults of this species are on the wing in December. It is distinguishable from similar species as it is smaller in size and darker in appearance than other species in the genus Trachypepla.
Scythris epistrota is a species of moth in the family Scythrididae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island. The larvae have been found on species of New Zealand broom and they pupate within an irregularly shaped, dense, silken cocoon. Adults are day flying and are on the wing from November until February.
Scythris triatma is a species of moth in the family Scythrididae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1935. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been recorded in the South Island. Adults are day flying and are on the wing in November. The species have been recorded at saline wetlands and sites with saline soils.
