Izatha huttonii
Izatha huttonii is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the Wellington district of the North Island, the South Island, and Stewart Island. Although similar in appearance to related species I. huttonii can be distinguished as it has a distinctive M-shaped mark on its forewings. The larvae feed on the dead wood of makomako and karamu. Adult moths have been collected from October to March.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1879 using a female specimen obtained in Otago by Frederick Hutton and named Oecophora huttonii. In 1888 I. huttonii was synonymised by Edward Meyrick with Izatha peroneanella. However 2014 Robert J. B. Hoare removed I. huttonii from synonymy with I. peroneanella and reinstated it as a species. The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.Description
Butler originally described the species as follows:I. huttonii has long been confused with I. peroneanella. The differences between these species are variable and subtle. The most obvious visual distinguishing feature of I. huttonii is its forewing discal "M" mark. This mark is complete in I. huttonii where as with I. peroneanella it usually broken beyond the first stroke. In general, although both species are variable in colouration, I. huttonii tends to be a paler green and I. peroneanella is usually a brighter lime green.
This species is polymorphic and comes in green and white shades. The green colouration can turn yellowish if the moth is wet.
A description of larvae has yet to be positively associated with this species.