Chrysorthenches drosochalca
Chrysorthenches drosochalca is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1905. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North and South Islands. The larvae are leaf miners of Prumnopitys ferruginea. Adults are on the wing from January to March.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1905 using specimens collected at Otira Gorge and Wellington and named Orthenches drosochalca. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1996 J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Chrysorthenches. The male lectotype, collected by George Hudson in Wellington, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.Description
Hudson described the larva and pupa of this species as follows:Meyrick described the adults of this species as follows:
This species is variable in size and in the intensity of the ground colour of the forewings. It can be distinguished from similar appearing species as its forewings have very scattered white scales as well as a more brassy foreground colour.