Orthenches disparilis is a moth of the family Plutellidae.[1] This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1931. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Auckland and Otago. O. disparilis is associated with species in the genus Corokia and larvae are known to feed on Corokia buddleioides. The larvae mine the leaves and feeds on the shoots and fruit of their host. Adults are on the wing in January. Dracophyllum bushes are used as over wintering sites by the adults.
This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1931 using a specimen collected in Kauri Gully, Auckland by Charles Edwin Clarke in January.[2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1939 book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand.[3] J. S. Dugdale considered this species when describing the genus Chrysorthenches. The male holotype is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.[4] [5]
Philpott described this species as follows:
Philpott pointed out that although this species is similar in appearance to some forms of O. chartularia the genitals of the males of these species are different.
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[6] As well as being observed in Auckland this species has also been observed in Otago on at Stevensons Island/Te Peka Karara.
O. disparilis is associated with species in the genus Corokia and is known that Corokia buddleioides is a larval host for this species.[7] Larvae of O. disparillis mine the leaves and feeds on the shoots and fruit of their host.
Adults are on the wing in January. Dracophyllum bushes are used as over wintering sites by adult moths.