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 walkerae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Oecophoridae |
| Genus: | Izatha |
| Species: | I. walkerae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Izatha walkerae | |
Taxonomy and etymology
editThis species was described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2010.[1][2] Prior to its formal description this species was referred to as Izatha sp. "whorled antennae".[3] The species is named in honour of Annette Walker, who captured the holotype.[2] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.
Description
editThe wingspan is 18–20 mm for males.[2] The female has yet to be described.[2] This species is very similar in appearance to I. copiosella but I. walkerae can be distinguished by its whorls of long dark sensilla on its antennae as well as its distinctive genitalia.[2]
Distribution
editThis species is endemic to New Zealand.[1] It is known from the north-eastern South Island.[2] Specimens have been collected at Port Underwood Road approximately 4 km south of Curious Cove in Marlborough, and at Lake Tennyson in Canterbury.[2]
Biology and behaviour
editVery little is known of the biology of this species.[2] Adults have been recorded in November and January.[2] This species has been collected with a Malaise trap.[2] It has been hypothesised that this species is active during the day as the eyes of I. walkerae have a nude periorbital strip which is correlated with diurnal activity.[2] The host plants of this species are unknown.[2]
Conservation status
editThis species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[4]
References
edit
- ^ a b c "Izatha walkerae Hoare, 2010". nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Hoare, Robert R. J. (2 September 2010). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 65. Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand: Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd: 1–201. ISSN 1179-7193. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "NZTCS Lepidoptera Spreadsheet". doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). "Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 5.