Eudonia atmogramma

Eudonia atmogramma is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1915. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the South Island and on Stewart Island. Adults have been observed on the wing every month of the year except July. They are attracted to light.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1915 using specimens collected by Alfred Philpott at Tisbury and West Plains near Invercargill in September and by George Hudson at Lake Wakatipu. Meyrick originally named this species Scoparia atmogramma. In 1928 George Hudson, in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, illustrated and discussed this species under that name. In 1988 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Eudonia. The lectotype specimen collected in Invercargill is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:
This species is similar in appearance to forms of Eudonia paltomacha. It is also possible to confuse this species with a form of Eudonia leptalea.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed on the South Island as well as on Stewart Island.

Habitat

This species has been observed in a variety of habitats including saline wetlands, salt pan habitat, and granite sand plains.

Behaviour

Adults have been recorded on wing most months of the year except July. They are most frequently observed from September to December. The adult moths are attracted to light.