Asterivora inspoliata

Asterivora inspoliata is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, and has been found in the subalpine hills and mountains of Otago, Fiordland and Southland in the South Island. Adults are on the wing in December and January.

Description

Philpott described this species as follows:
Philpott noted similarities between the species and Asterivora urbana, and that the two species could be differentiated due to their different markings and antennae structure.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1930, using a specimen collected by Charles Edwin Clarke at Flat Mountain in the Hunter Mountains in December at, and named Simaethis inspoliata. In 1939 George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under that name. In 1979 J. S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Asterivora. In 1988 Dugdale confirmed this placement. The male holotype specimen, collected at Flat Mountain, is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand, and has been found in subalpine habitat in the hills and mountains of Otago, Fiordland and Southland.

Behaviour

Adults of this species are on the wing in December and January.