Tatosoma agrionata
Tatosoma agrionata, also known as the mistletoe carpet moth, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae first described by Francis Walker in 1862. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as at risk, declining by the Department of Conservation.
Taxonomy
T. agrionata was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 using specimens collected either in Hawkes Bay or Taupō by William Colenso. Walker originally named the species Cidaria agrionata. In the same publication Walker, thinking it was a separate species, again described the moth under the name Cidaria collectaria. In 1874 Arthur Gardiner Butler placed this species in the genus Tatosoma. In 1988 John S. Dugdale synonymised this name. George Vernon Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. The lectotype specimen is held in the Natural History Museum, London.Description
The larvae of this species are orange upon hatching but as they mature they turn yellow green. They are slightly paler on their underside. When mature they form a cocoon from soil and silk on the surface of the ground underneath their host plants.Hudson described the adults of the species as follows:
T. agrionata is very similar in appearance to Tatosoma tipulata and can be confused with that species. This species can be distinguished T. tipulata as it lacks the Z-shaped basal line and has a conspicuous large pale patch near tornus. Robert Hoare has also stated that T. agrionata has is a very distinct black V on the forewing dorsum near the base that appears to be a distinguishing feature as it is not present on T. tipulata.