Microcolona limodes

Microcolona limodes is a species of moth in the family Elachistidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The larvae of this moth eat the seeds of endemic Myrsine species.

Taxonomy

This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1897 using material collected at Riccarton Bush in Christchurch during March. George Hudson discussed this species in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. Other than in Canterbury, this species has also been found at Pitt Island and Northland.

Habitat and host species

This species has been found to be present in gumland heath habitat. The larvae of this moth feed on the seeds of Myrsine australis and Myrsine salicina.