Glaucocharis auriscriptella
Glaucocharis auriscriptella, also known as the yellow silverling or silver marked yellow, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1864 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found in the North, South, Stewart and Great Barrier Islands. The preferred habitat of this moth is lowland and subalpine native forest as well as wetlands. The larvae feed on moss. The adult moth is day flying and is on the wing from November to February. It can be observed in colonies and can be attracted to light at night. This species likely has only one generation per year.
Taxonomy
It was first described by Francis Walker in 1864 using the name Eromene auriscriptella. In 1882 Edward Meyrick placed this species in the genus Diptychophora. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under that name in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1929 Alfred Philpott studied the male genitalia of this species. In 1971 David Gaskin placed this species in the genus Pareromene. In 1985 Gaskin again discussed this species and placed it in the genus Glaucocharis. The male lectotype, collected in Auckland by Daniel Bolton, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.Description
Hudson described this species as follows:Hudson noted that the transverse lines on some moths may vary in width. Meyrick pointed out that this species is distinguishable from most similar appearing species in its genus by the discal spot on its forewings. For example, the very similar appearing G. holanthes can be distinguished as, unlike G. auriscriptella, the discal spot is represented by two small black dots. The exception is G. chrysochyta which can be distinguished from G. auriscriptella as it is more brightly coloured, and has an indentation on the first transverse line on its forewings.