Heterocrossa eriphylla


Heterocrossa eriphylla is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island and the northern parts of the South Island. This species is regarded as relatively uncommon and inhabits native forest. The larvae feed on the healing wounds of New Zealand beech trees Fuscospora fusca and Fuscospora truncata. It pupates at its feeding site and emerges from December onward. The adult moth is nocturnal and is attracted to light. During the day the moth rests on lichen covered tree trunks where their lichen mimicking colouration assists with their camouflage.

Taxonomy

This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888 using a specimen he collected in Wellington in January. In 1922 Meyrick classified Heterocrossa as a synonym of the genus Carposina. George Hudson followed Meyrick and discussed and illustrated this species under the name Carponsina eriphylla in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. In 1978 Elwood Zimmerman argued that the genus Heterocrassa should not be a synonym of Carposina as the genitalia of the species within the genus Heterocrassa are distinctive. In 1988 John S. Dugdale agreed with Zimmerman and assigned this species to the genus Heterocrossa. The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Hudson described the larva of the species as follows:
The male adult of this species was described by Meyrick as follows:
H. eriphylla varies in the intensity of the green colouration on its forewings with some specimens being a yellowish-brown shade.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in the North Island and northern parts of the South Island. Specimens of this moth have been collected near the Wellington Botanic Gardens and at the Ōrongorongo Valley, as well as near Woodville in hill country. This moth has also been collected at Paroa. H. eriphylla is regarded as being relatively uncommon.

Habitat and host species

H. eriphylla prefers native forest habitat. The larvae of this species feed on the wood of trees such as species of beach Fuscospora fusca and Fuscospora truncata as well as Vitex lucens.

Biology and behaviour

The larvae of this species feed on the callus tissue generated by their host trees as a result of damage caused by other insects including Aenetus virescens. Larvae are fully developed by October. The species pupates at their feeding site and have been observed emerging in December. The adult moths have been observed on the wing all year round but are most frequently seen from September to April. This moth is a night flier and is attracted to light. During the day the adult moths rest on tree trunks where their variable lichen mimicking colouration assists with their camouflage. W. P. Cohen stated that he collected his specimens during the day while they were at rest on the trunks of weeping-willows.