Izatha prasophyta
Izatha prasophyta is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known from the North Island, except Hawkes Bay or the Wairarapa. Larvae likely feed on rotting wood although larvae of this species have been reared on the fruiting body of the bracket fungus Bjerkandera adusta. Adults are on the wing from November to February.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 using two specimens collected at Taranaki and Wellington in January and February and named Semiocosma prasophyta. Meyrick gave a more detailed description of this species in 1884. In 1915 Meyrick placed this species in the genus Izatha. In 1928 George Hudson followed this placement and discussed and illustrated this species under the name Izatha prasophyta. This placement was confirmed in 1988 by J. S. Dugdale. Robert Hoare redescribed this species in 2010 and also confirmed this placement. The male lectotype, collected at the Wellington Botanic Garden, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.Description
Meyrick described this species as follows:The wingspan is 16–22.5 mm for males and 19.5–26 mm for females. This species can be distinguished from Izatha peroneanella as it has olive-green coloured forewings that lack the longitudinal black markings of that species.