Pyroderces aellotricha, also known as the Cosmet moth, is a moth of the family Cosmopterigidae.[1] It is found in New Zealand, in Australia and the Cook Islands.
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889 and named Proterocosma aellotricha.[2] Meyrick, when first describing the species, used two specimens collected in Hamilton in January. In 1915 Meyrick placed this species within the genus Pyroderces.[3] The female lectotype, collected in Hamilton, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[4]
Meyrick described the species as follows:
This species is found in New Zealand, including at the Kermadec Islands, in Tasmania, Australia and in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.[5] [6] Other than its type locality it has also been collecting in Whangārei.[7]
The larvae of this species feed on ripening seed heads of raupō, and stored maize cobs.[8]