Epichorista allogama
Epichorista allogama is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Wellington Region. It is regarded as being very local, although is said to abundant where found. Adults are on the wing in late December and the species likely has a very short season. It has an affinity for Pittosporum tenuifolium from which Hudson hypothesised that this may be the moth's larval host. It is a day flying moth and takes short rapid flights during the afternoon and early evening.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914 using specimens collected by George Hudson in Hudson's garden in Karori, Wellington in December. Meyrick originally named the species Harmologa allogama. In 1923 Meyrick placed this species in the genus Epichorista. Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under the name Epichorista allogama in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1928 Alfred Philpott also discussed and illustrated the male genitalia of this species. This species is regarded as being taxonomically unresolved as it likely belongs to another genus. It is therefore also known as Epichorista ''allogama''. The lectotype specimen, collected by Hudson in Wellington, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.Description
Meyrick described the adult moth as follows:Meyrick found the differences in the sexes of this species remarkable. Hudson pointed out that a variety of the female occurs where the forewings are entirely cream-coloured.