Chrysorthenches porphyritis
Chrysorthenches porphyritis is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found on both the North and South Islands in open native forests and scrubs at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1370 m. The larvae feed on Podocarpus laetus, P. totara, P. nivalis, and Phyllocladus alpinus. The larvae create shelters by loosely spinning together the leaves of their host plants and can be found feeding in groups. The pupa develops inside a thin cocoon. Hudson believed this species had two broods a year. Adult moths are active throughout the year. The adults of this species, particularly the females, exhibit variability in coloration and forewing patterns.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and named Orthenches porphyritis. Meyrick provided a more detailed description of the species in 1886. In 1901, under the impression he was describing a new species, Meyrick named this moth Ypononmeuta cuprea. Meyrick synonymized this name in 1923. In 1927 Alfred Philpott, studied the male genitalia of this species. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand and again discussed the species in his 1939 book A Supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1996 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Chrysorthenches. The female lectotype, collected in Dunedin in August, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.Description
Meyrick described the larvae of the species as follows:Meyrick described the adults of the species as follows:
This species, particularly the females, exhibits extreme variability in coloration and forewing markings.