Harmologa sanguinea

Harmologa sanguinea is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1915. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed the southern parts of the South Island including Fiordland, Southland and Otago. Larvae feed on species of Veronica and adults are on the wing in November to March.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1915 using specimens collected at using specimens collected at Cleughearn Peak in the Hunter Mountains at around 3000 ft. in January. George Hudson described and illustrated this species in his 1928 publication The butterflies and moths of New Zealand.'''' The male holotype is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.

Description

Philpott described this species as follows:
H. sanguinea can be distinguished from similar looking moths as result of differences in tornal and subterminal fasciae.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Fiordland. It has also been observed at the Eyre Ecological District in Southland, as well as on Maungatua and Flat Top Mountain in the Otago Region.

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits subalpine habitat. The larval plant host of this moth are species in the genus Veronica.

Behaviour

Adults are on the wing from November to March and have been observed flying amongst Veronica and Cassinia plants.