Micro-Moths of New Zealand's Kauri Kingdom
This guide aims to illustrate the diverse range of micro-moths recorded from New Zealand's upper North Island.
To identify a particular species select key characteristics from the menu on the left. Adding more features narrows the search. Alternatively, if you're sure of its taxonomic ...more ↓
Sagephora felix
Sagephora felix was first described by Meyrick in 1914. It belongs to the family Tineidae. The perfect insect appears from October till April and frequents forest.
Sagephora phortegella
Sagephora phortegella was first described by Meyrick in 1888. It is a species of moth in the family Tineidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing from October till April and frequent native forest.
Archyala paraglypta
Archyala paraglypta (Meyrick, 1889). Endemic.
The only Archyala known from the Auckland region except for the very rare A. opulenta, which is brown not grey.
Gymnobathra calliploca
Gymnobathra calliploca is a moth of the Xyloryctidae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1883 and is endemic to New Zealand. The perfect insect appears from October to February and frequents dense forests.
Gymnobathra omphalota
Gymnobathra omphalota is a moth of the Xyloryctidae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1888. Native forest. Adults are on the wing from November to January. They can be found during the day but also fly at night and are attracted to light.
Gymnobathra hyetodes
Gymnobathra hyetodes is a moth of the Xyloryctidae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1884. This fairly common moth can be found in native forest. Adults are on the wing from January to March. They fly at night and are attracted to light.
Gymnobathra bryaula
Gymnobathra bryaula is a moth of the Xyloryctidae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1905. Adults are on the wing December to February in native forest. Not commonly observed as they are not attracted to artificial light but can sometimes be found sitting on tree fern trunks during the day
Lathicrossa leucocentra
Lathicrossa leucocentra was named by Meyrick in 1883. It belongs to the family Xyloryctidae. Adults appear from September through to February in native forest. They can be collected both by day and at night when they come to light.
Hierodoris huia
Hierodoris huia was named by Hoare in 2005 and belongs to the family Oecophoridae. Only known from the type locality in west Auckland where it has been collected on two occasions, in January in gardens less than 500 metres apart (Hoare, 2005).
Hierodoris atychioides
Hierodoris atychioides (Butler, 1877). F.L. 6 mm. Endemic. Local.
Variable forewing markings and shading.
Hierodoris stella
Hierodoris stella was named by Meyrick in 1914, new combination. It is a species of moth in the Xyloryctidae family. Adults can be found from December onwards in native forest clearings.
Izatha metadelta
Izatha metadelta was named by Meyrick in 1905. It is a moth of the Xyloryctidae family. This species is on the wing in North Island's native forests from December to February.
Izatha mesoschista
Izatha mesoschista was named by Meyrick in 1931. It is a moth of the Xyloryctidae family. It is one of the commonest and most widespread species of Izatha in the North Island (Hoare, 2010). Flight period is October to February, with most occurring from November to January.
Izatha hudsoni
Izatha hudsoni is a moth of the Xyloryctidae family. Native forest. Adults can be found from November through to February. They fly at night and come to light.
Izatha minimira
Izatha minimira was described by Hoare in 2010. It is a species of moth in the family Xylorycitidae. It is only known from the northern North Island; Northland to the Bay of Plenty. The perfect insect is on the wing from January through to April.
Thamnosara sublitella
Thamnosara sublitella was first described by Walker in 1864 (Gelechia). It belongs to the family Xyloryctidae. The perfect insect appears in November and December, and is found on dry forest-clad hills (Hudson, 1928).
Izatha phaeoptila
Izatha phaeoptila was named by Meyrick in 1905. It is a moth of the Xylorycitidae family. According to Hoare 2010, it is common in the forests of west Auckland, but has not been encountered elsewhere in numbers. Adults are on the wing from January to early March.
Capua semiferana
Capua semiferana (Walker, 1863). F.L. 11 mm. Endemic. Common.
This species is very variable in size, colour and intensity of markings.
Barea exarcha
Barea exarcha was named by Meyrick in 1883 (Phloeopola). It has been introduced from Australia.
Barea confusella
Barea confusella is a moth of the Oecophoridae family. It was described by Francis Walker in 1864 (Oecophora). Parks and gardens mostly; also clearings and edges of native forest. Adults are found mostly from November to February. They fly at night and come to light.
Corocosma memorabilis
Corocosma memorabilis was named by Meyrick in 1927. It is a species of moth of the Oecophoridae family and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing in December till January in native forest. Hoare states "They seem to like sunnier places on the edge of forest, and can be found on old trees even in city parks".
Eulechria zophoessa
Eulechria zophoessa (Meyrick, 1883). Endemic.
Pinkish tinge, no thoracic scale crest, no distinct dark stripes at sides of thorax.
Tachystola hemisema
Tachystola hemisema belongs to the family Oecophoridae and is adventive to New Zealand.
Phaeosaces compsotypa
Phaeosaces compsotypa was first named by Meyrick in 1885 (Phaeosaces). It belongs to the family Depressariidae and is endemic to New Zealand. The perfect insect is on the wing from October to March in native forest and is rather common.
Sphyrelata amotella
Sphyrelata amotella is a moth of the Oecophoridae family. It was described by Walker in 1864 and is adventive to New Zealand.
Ruddy Streak
Tachystola acroxantha is a moth of the Oecophoridae family. It is widespread throughout the north and south islands. It can be found in gardens and hedges throughout the year, possibly in a succession of broods. Comes readily to light.
Elachista ombrodoca
Elachista ombrodoca is a moth in the family Elachistidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1889. Hudson (1928) states " The perfect insect appears from September till March, and is found on open grassy places, etc., where it is often very common". Based on recent observations it seems to be more of a South Island species.
Elachista gerasmia
Elachista gerasmia was named by Meyrick in 1889. It is a species of moth of the family Elachistidae. According to Meyrick, the perfect insect appears in December till March and is common in swampy places. Darker specimens associated with harder-stemmed rushes may be the very similar E. physalodes Kaila, which is confirmed from NZ and probably native (Hoare).
Circoxena ditrocha
Circoxena ditrocha was named by Meyrick in 1916. It belongs to the family Elachistidae and is endemic to New Zealand, where it is relatively widespread from Auckland to Invercargill. The perfect insect appears in December and March, frequenting the edges of forest or scrub. It is of sluggish habit and is usually obtained by sweeping foliage, especially Nothopanax ...more ↓
Chenopod Casebearer
Coleophora versurella is a moth of the Coleophoridae family. It was described by Zeller in 1849. Adults are found from December to March in wasteground, fields with root crops and coastal saltmarshes.
Batrachedra agaura
Batrachedra agaura was named by Meyrick in 1901. It is a species of moth of the Batrachedridae family. Adults are found mostly from October to February in native forest, especially beech. They also inhabit shrubland, especially manuka scrub. They fly at night and occasionally come to light.
Batrachedra arenosella
Batrachedra arenosella was named by Walker in 1864 (Gracillaria). It is a species of moth of the Batrachedridae family. The perfect insect appears from January to March, and is found in swampy places where rushes are abundant (Hudson, 1928). Can be attracted to artificial light in some numbers.
Batrachedra psithyra
Batrachedra psithyra was named by Meyrick in 1889. Native forest. Adults are mainly found from October until the end of December. They can be collected by day from rough overgrown grass lands and fern hills near native forest. They also come to light at night.
Bactra noteraula
Bactra noteraula was named by Walsingham in 1907, new name for Noeraula straminea Meyrick, 1885. It belongs to the family Tortricidae. The perfect insect appears from November to April and is said to be common amongst rushes (Juncus) in swampy or wetland areas, but seems to be somewhat local.
Argyroploce chlorosaris
Argyroploce chlorosaris was named by Meyrick in 1914. It belongs to the family Tortricidae. Adults are on the wing from December to January in native forest.
Zapyrastra calliphana
Zapyrastra calliphana (Meyrick, 1889). Endemic.
These tiny metallic-looking moths belong to a largely northern hemisphere family Momphidae.
Gauna aegusalis
Gauna aegusalis is a moth of the family Pyralidae. It was named by Walker in 1859 (Pyralis). Parks and gardens; waste places. Adults occur from August until April. The fly at night and come to light.
Ephestiopsis oenobarella
Ephestiopsis oenobarella is a moth of the Pyralidae family. In New Zealand it occurs in small numbers at light in modified habitats, and has been found in Auckland, Northland and Waikato.
Stored Grain Moth
Aglossa caprealis was named by Huebner in 1809, (Pyralis). It is a moth species of the family Pyralidae and is adventive to New Zealand. Adults have been found from December to March usually resting on walls during the day.
Macarostola ida
Macarostola ida is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. This beautiful moth is a newly recorded species for New Zealand, and so far confined to the far north, e.g. Auckland and Northland. Adults can be found from September to June.
Azalea Leafminer Moth
Caloptilia azaleella) (Brants , 1913). F.L. 5 - 5.5 mm. Adventive.
Forewing with an irregular yellowish costal blotch extending from one-quarter to near the apex.
Caloptilia chalcodelta
Caloptilia chalcodelta (Meyrick, 1889) (Gracilaria). Endemic.
Forewing with a yellowish near-triangular costal blotch mid-way from base to apex.
Glyphipterix scintelella
Glyphipterix scintilella was described by Francis Walker in 1864. It belongs to the family Glyphipterigidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults can be found during the day resting on Elatostema rugosom and Carex dissita in forest clearings from October to March.
Orocrambus siriellus
Orocrambus siriellus is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1883. Adults may be found from October to March in wetlands, gumlands, swampy areas and waste grounds. They can be collected by day and at night when attracted to light.
Orocrambus enchophorus
Orocrambus enchophorus is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. The insect inhabits lowland to alpine grassland.
Leucotenes coprosmae
Leucotenes coprosmae is a species of moth of the Tortricidae family which is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing from October to March in native forest and scrub.
Lucerne Leafroller Moth
Clepsis divulsana was first described by Walker in 1863. It belongs to the family Tortricidae and is adventive to New Zealand. Adults can be found throughout the year. They fly at night and come to light.
Clepsis leucaniana
Clepsis leucaniana was first described by Walker in 1863. It belongs to the family Tortricidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are commonly found from February to April.
Pyrgotis calligypsa
Pyrgotis calligypsa was named by Meyrick in 1926. It belongs to the family Tortricidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults may be found from October to February in native forest. They fly at night and come to light.
Scoparia rotuella
Scoparia rotuella is a species of moth in the Crambidae family which is endemic to New Zealand. It was described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875 under the name Crambus rotuellus. Adults can be found across the lower half of the North Island and commonly throughout the South Island.
Eudonia ustiramis
Eudonia ustiramis is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1931. Adults can be found in gumlands throughout the year but mainly from October to February. They can be collected both by day and during the evening when they are attracted to light.
Wool Moth
Monopis icterogastra, the wool moth, is a moth of the Tineidae family. Adults can be observed throughout the year. They are nocturnal and can be attracted to light.
Prothinodes lutata
Prothinodes lutata was named by Meyrick in 1914. It belongs to the family Tineidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Hudson (1928) states that "the perfect insect appears in January, and frequents the faded foliage of the Nikau Palm".
Tephrosara cimmeria
Tephrosara cimmeria (Meyrick, 1914). Endemic.
Hoare states "The lectotype is a male and the species is quite strongly sexually dimorphic. Both sexes are in NZAC, and comparison of material in good condition shows that markings are essentially similar, with the male being strongly suffused with grey and much more unicolorous. Even the LT shows faintly the dark dorsal ...more ↓
Lysiphragma mixochlora
Lysiphragma mixochlora is a species of moth in the Tineidae family. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888 and is endemic to New Zealand. Native forest. Adults can be found from November to February. They can be collected by day and come to light at night.
Habrophila compseuta
Habrophila compseuta was named by Meyrick in 1888. It belongs to the family Tineidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing from November to May in native forest but is somewhat scarce. Hudson (1928) states that "it may be obtained by sweeping ferns and undergrowth, in open forest".
Large Pale Clothes Moth
Tinea pallescentella was named by Stainton in 1851. It is a moth of the family Tineidae which is adventive to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing around human habitation throughout the year. They can be attracted to light.
Tinea (s.l.) conspecta
Tinea conspecta is a species of moth in the Tineidae family. It was described by Alfred Philpott in 1931 and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing from October to February. They fly at night and come to light. The pale hind margin to the thorax gives it away, however that illustrated is a dark specimen.
Tinea (s.l.) belonota
Tinea belonota was described by Meyrick in 1888. It is a species of moth in the family Tineidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are mainly on the wing from December through to March. They can be swept from vegetation during the day.
Mnesictena flavidalis
Mnesictena flavidalis is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Edward Doubleday in 1843. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Udea marmarina
Udea marmarina is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1884 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is similar in appearance to Mnesictena flavidalis but is distinguished by being larger in size and having a clear white spot on its forewings. Forest clearings and edges, shrublands. Adults are found from October through to March. They ...more ↓
Scoparia chalicodes
Scoparia chalicodes is a moth of the Crambidae family. It was named by Meyrick in 1884 and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are mainly found from September to April in native forest clearings. They fly at night and can be attracted to light in small numbers.
Sarisophora leucoscia
Sarisophora leucoscia was named by Turner in 1919. It is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family which is also found in Australia. Adults are on the wing from October to May and are common in the north of the North Island. They can be collected both by day and at night when they come to light.
Red Clover Casebearer Moth
Coleophora deauratella Lienig & Zeller, 1846. Adventive.
Being one of the metallic Coleophora this species is very similar to C. alcyonipennella and C. mayerella requiring genitalia examination to separate unless an association with a specific host plant can be established.
