Izatha oleariae explained

Izatha oleariae is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. It is only found on the Snares Islands.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by John S. Dugdale in 1971 using specimens collected at Station Point at the Snares Islands by Peter M. Johns.^{[1] [2]} In 2010 Robert J. B. Hoare discussed this species and gave a detailed description of the same.^[3] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.

Description

Dugdale originally described the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.^{[4] [5]} It is only known from the subantarctic Snares Islands.

Biology and behaviour

The larvae of this species are wood borers. Adults are on wing from November to February.

Host plants and habitat

A host species of the larvae of this moth is Olearia lyallii. Larvae have also been collected in bark of Brachyglottis stewartiae.

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 95. 22 May 2018. 27 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012448/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
2. Dugdale. J. S.. Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae.. Pacific Insects Monograph. 1971. 27. 55–172. 24 May 2018.
3. Hoare. R. J. B.. 2010. Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae).. Fauna of New Zealand. 65. 1–201. 9780478347258. 2018-05-24. 2019-01-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20190126231917/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/26296/FNZ65Izathaweb.pdf. dead.
4. 463.
5. Web site: Izatha oleariae Dugdale, 1971. www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-05-24.
6. Hoare. R.J.B.. Dugdale. J.S.. Edwards. E.D.. Gibbs. G.W.. Patrick. B.H.. Hitchmough. R.A.. Rolfe. J.R.. 2017. Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20. 8.