Tanaoctena dubia

Tanaoctena dubia, the Karamu shoot borer or Coprosma shoot borer moth, is a moth in the family Galacticidae. It was described by Alfred Philpott in 1931. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the northern half of the North Island.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1931 using specimens taken in Auckland in January. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1939 book under the misspelled name Tanaoctenota dubia. The male holotype specimen, collected by Charles E. Clarke, is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Description

Philpott described this species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in the northern parts of the North Island.

Behaviour

This species is on the wing in from September until May.

Hosts

The larvae feed on Coprosma species such as C. autumnalis, C. macrocarpa, C. repens and C. robusta. They mine the leaves of their host plant, but also bore into the growing shoot tips, causing these shoots to wilt.