Gymnobathra flavidella explained

Gymnobathra flavidella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The host plants for the larvae of this species include Brachyglottis repanda and Gahnia procera.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1864 using the name Gelechia flavidella.^[1]

The forewings of this species measure between 4.5mm and 8.5mm in length.^[2]

G.V. Hudson described the species as follows:

This species is found only in New Zealand.^[3] It is common in all areas of the North Island and in the top half of the South Island as far as Christchurch and Franz Josef.^[4]

The larvae of G. flavidella live within and feed on Brachyglottis repanda.^[5] Gahnia procera has also been recorded as a host species.

Walker. Francis. 1864. Part XXIX. Tineites.. List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum.. en. pt. 29. 563–835. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Book: Hoare, Robert J. B.. A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd. Ball, Olivier.. 2014. 9781869663995. Auckland. 29. 891672034.
Web site: Gymnobathra flavidella (Walker, 1864). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 15 January 2018.
Book: Hudson, George Vernon. The butterflies and moths of New Zealand.. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington, N.Z.. 275. 4112351.
Web site: Gymnobathra flavidella - Invertebrate herbivore biodiversity assessment. plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2019-04-10.