Stigmella oriastra
Stigmella oriastra is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island. The larvae are leaf miners of Celmisia species, including Celmisia coriacea and Celmisia densiflora. They have been recorded in February, April and May. Adults are on the wing in January and from October to December. Adults run and takes rapid short flights. There is likely one generation per year.
Taxonomy
This species was originally described by Edward Meyrick in 1917 using two specimens collected at Ōtira Gorge by Stella Hudson on scree on the eastern side of the gorge and originally named Nepticula oriastra. In 1928 George Hudson discussed and illustrated that species under the name Nepticula oriastra in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1988 John S. Dugdale placed Nepticula oriastra in the genus Stigmella. In 1989 Hans Donner and Christopher Wilkinson agreed with this placement in their monograph on New Zealand Nepticulidae. This placement was again confirmed in a 2016 revision of the global species placed in the family Nepticulidae. The female lectotype specimen is held at the Natural [History Museum, London].Description
Larvae are 3–4 mm long and pale yellow. The mine is a narrow and initially forms a circular pattern and then a linear pattern. Frass can be seen in the middle of the mine. The cocoon is buff and spun among debris on the ground.Meyrick described the female adult of this species as follows:
The shining white appearance of this species is distinctive.