Erechthias decoranda

Erechthias decoranda is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1925. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the Chatham Islands. Larvae of species in the genus Erechthias feed on dead plant debris or the tough leaves of plants such as palms. Adults are on the wing in October, December and March.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1925 using four specimens collected by Charles Lindsay at Mangere Island in the Chathams and originally named Hectacma decoranda. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand under that name. In 1988 John S. Dugdale synonymised Hectacma with the genus Erechthias and thus since that date this species has been known as Erechthias ''decoranda. However Dugdale hypothesised that as a result of various anatomical structures this species could possibly be excluded from the Erechthias'' genus. The male holotype is held at the Canterbury Museum.

Description

Meyrick described this species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed only in the Chatham Islands.

Host species

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

Behaviour

Adults are on the wing in October, December and March.