Heterocrossa literata is a moth of the Carposinidae family first described by Alfred Philpott in 1930.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed the Franz Josef Glacier in subalpine habitat on the West Coast. Adults are on the wing in January.
This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1930 using specimens collected by Charles Edwin Clarke at Defiance Hut (now at the Franz Josef Visitor Centre) at Cape Defiance, above the Franz Josef Glacier and named Carposina literata.[2] [3] In 1939 George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand.[4] In 1978 Elwood Zimmerman argued that the genus Heterocrassa should not be a synonym of Carposina as the genitalia of the species within the genus Heterocrassa are distinctive.[5] In 1988 John S. Dugdale assigned the species to the genus Heterocrossa.[6] The male holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Philpott described this species as follows:
Hudson pointed out that this species is very similar in appearance to H. exochana as both species have a dark discal streak on their forewings. However the two species can be distinguished as Hudson states that with H. exochana "the termen is slightly sinuate below apex and, in most specimens, a shading of brownish ochreous is visible between the veins".
H. literata is endemic to New Zealand.[7] It has been observed in subalpine habitat on the West Coast.
Adults are on the wing in January.