Harmologa columella

Harmologa columella is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1927. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island at Arthur's Pass and Mount Arthur. This species inhabits open mountainous terrain above the tree line. The larvae feed on flowering shoots of Cassinia vauvilliersii. They are very active when disturbed. The larvae play host to the fly larvae of Pales tecta. The adult moths are on the wing in January and February.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1927 using a male specimen collected by Stella Hudson at Arthur's Pass at approximately 4000 ft in January. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species both in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand and in his 1939 book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Hudson described the larva of this species as follows:
Meyrick described this species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed both at Arthur's Pass and on Mount Arthur.

Habitat and host

This species inhabits open mountainous country just above the native forest limit. The larvae of this species feed on the spun up flowering shoots of Cassinia vauvilliersii.

Behaviour

The larva is very active when disturbed. Larvae taken around the end of January emerge as adults during February. Adults are on the wing in January and February.

Enemies

This larvae of this moth are the host for the fly species Pales tecta. The larva ingests the eggs of the fly and the fly larva grows in the caterpillar and kills it.