Atomotricha isogama

Atomotricha isogama is a moth in the family Oecophoridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1909. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. Larvae are leaf litter feeders and have been recorded as emerging in the New Zealand spring. Adults have been observed on the wing from July to January.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1909 using two specimens collected in Wellington by George Hudson. In 1927 Arthur Philpott studied the male genitalia of this species. The male lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick first described this species as follows:
The female of this species has fully developed wings. As an adult moth this species is variable in the colour intensity of its forewings, with some specimens being yellow-ochreous in colour.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in both the North and South Islands.

Life cycle

The larvae of this species have been recorded as emerging in the New Zealand spring and attain their full size of over 2.5 mm in length by autumn. Adults of this species have been observed on the wing from July until January.

Behaviour

Hudson regarded the adults of A. isogama as being sluggish and noted that the species frequented urban gardens and cultivated plants. During the day the adult moth can be found resting on tree trunks or fences, often on the underside of structures almost touching the ground. They have been observed having entered houses and have a habit of drowning in open containers filled with water.

Hosts

The larvae of this species feed on leaf litter.