Atomotricha oeconoma

Atomotricha oeconoma is a moth in the family Oecophoridae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed at Mount Taranaki, Wellington and in Dunedin. The adults emerge in June. The female adult is semi-apterous and is incapable of flight.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914 using three specimens collected in August in Karori by George Hudson. Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. The male lectotype specimen is held at Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described this species as follows:
The female of the species is semi-apterous and is incapable of flight.

Distribution

A. oeconoma is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in its type locality of Wellington, at Mount Taranaki and in Dunedin.

Behaviour

The adults of this species appear in June and are unusual in that they emerge during the winter months. Both the female and the male of the species can be found on cold nights resting on fences. A. oeconoma has been beaten from tōtara.