Eudonia chlamydota

Eudonia chlamydota is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was named by Edward Meyrick in 1884. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forests at up to 3000 ft. Larvae feed on moss, building a silken shelter at the base of the plant from which to feed. They pupate in a cocoon within that shelter. Adults are on the wing commonly from December until February but have also been observed in the New Zealand winter. They are known to frequent Hoheria lyallii and are attracted to light.

Taxonomy

This species was named Scoparia chlamydota by Edward Meyrick in 1884. Meyrick gave a detailed description of the adult moth in 1885. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 publication The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1988 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Eudonia. The male holotype specimen, collected at Arthur's Pass at, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described this species as follows:
The adults are variable in the depth of colour on their wings.

Distribution

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

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits native forest up to around 3000 ft in altitude. Adults have been observed frequenting Hoheria lyallii at the edges of forest near rivers. Larvae feed on moss species building a shelter made of silk at the base of the plant. The larvae pupate within a cocoon in their host plant.

Behaviour

Adults of this species are on the wing most commonly from December until February although it has been observed in the New Zealand winter. They are attracted to light.