Lysiphragma argentaria explained

Lysiphragma argentaria is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by John Salmon in 1948 using a specimen collected by Graham Turbott on 22 April 1946 on Great Island at the Three Kings Islands.[1] The family level classification of this endemic moth is regarded as unsatisfactory, and it is not correctly placed in the genus Lysiphragma. As such the species is currently also known as Lysiphragma (s.l.) argentaria.[2] The holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.[3]

Description

Salmon described this species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[4] It is only found on the Three Kings Islands.[5]

Biology and behaviour

Much of the biology of this species is unknown. This species is attracted to light. Adults of this species are on the wing in April.

Host species and habitat

The holotype specimen was collected on a "tea tree".

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. 214. 26 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. 465.
  3. Web site: Lysiphragma argentaria. 22 November 2002. Auckland War Memorial Museum. 26 May 2018.
  4. Web site: Lysiphragma argentaria Salmon, 1948. www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 26 May 2018.
  5. Book: Hoare, Robert J. B.. New Zealand's most enigmatic moth : what we know about Titanomis sisyrota. 2001. Department of Conservation. 0478221665. Wellington, N.Z.. 6. 54343129.
  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. 9.