Erechthias charadrota

Erechthias charadrota is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1880. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found on both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest and the larvae likely feed on either deceased plant detritus or tough leaves of plants such as palms or flax. Adults are on the wing commonly from October to February and it is likely this species has two broods per year. Adults have been trapped via a blacklight.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1880 using three specimens caught in dry forest-scrub near Wellington and Port Lyttelton during the month of January. In 1888 Meyrick, thinking he was describing a new species, also named this moth Erechthias melanotricha. In 1927 Alfred Philpott studied and illustrated the male genitalia of this species. George Hudson, following Meyrick, discussed and illustrated E. charadrota and also discussed E. melantricha separately in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1988 John S. Dugdale synonymised E. melanotricha with E. charadrota. He pointed out that Meyrick was mistaken when he thought this species was not variable in depth of colour. The female lectotype specimen collected in Christchurch by Meyrick is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described this species as follows:

Distribution

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

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits native forest. Larvae of species in the genus Erechthias feed on dead plant debris or the tough leaves of plants such as palms.

Behaviour

Adults of this species are most commonly on the wing in October until February. Hudson was of the opinion that this species has two broods per year. Adults have been trapped at night using a 15 watt blacklight.