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 ↓
Mnesictena marmarina
Mnesictena marmarina is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1884 and is endemic to New Zealand.
Jasmine bud borer
Trichophysetis cretacea, the jasmine bud borer, is a moth in the family Crambidae described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1879. It is found in Japan, Russia and China.
Opogona comptella
Opogona comptella is a moth of the Tineidae family. It is found from southern Queensland to Tasmania as well as in New Zealand.
Eugennaea laquearia
Eugennaea is a genus of moths belonging to the family Tineidae. It contains only one species, Eugennaea laquearia, which is found in New Zealand.
Cocksfoot stem borer
Glyphipterix achlyoessa is a moth of the family Glyphipterigidae. It is known from New Zealand.
Glyphipterix oxymachaera
Glyphipterix oxymachaera is a species of sedge moth in the genus Glyphipterix. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1880. It is found in New Zealand.
Glyphipterix zelota
Glyphipterix zelota is a species of sedge moth in the genus Glyphipterix. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is found in New Zealand.
Leather-leaf Star-Miner
Philocryptica is a monotypic genus of moths belonging to the subfamily Tortricinae of the family Tortricidae. It contains only one species, Philocryptica polypodii, the leather-leaf star-miner, which is found in New Zealand, where it has been recorded from both the North Island and the South Island (as far south as Banks Peninsula).
Holocola charopa
Holocola charopa (Meyrick, 1888). Endemic. Scarce.
This is the only one in this group that is all pale reddish brown in colour.
Elachista
Elachista (Treitschke, 1833).
Dr Robert Hoare states that this genus is "Very much in need of revision".
Thallostoma eurygrapha
Thallostoma (Meyrick, 1913). Endemic. Scarce.
Note pale head-tuft and lack of distinct angulation in outer margin of black forewing marking, features that distinguish this from the unnamed black-headed Thallostoma sp. (Hoare, 2023).
Atomotricha
Atomotricha (Meyrick, 1883). F.L. 9 mm. Endemic.
An unnamed species of Atomotricha found in the north of the North Island.
Greenheaded Leafroller
Planotortrix octo is a moth of the Tortricidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is found on both the North and South islands.
Isonomeutis amauropa
Isonomeutis amauropa (Meyrick, 1888). Endemic. Common.
A very distinctive and active moth during the daytime.
Cryptaspasma querula
Cryptaspasma querula (Meyrick, 1912). Endemic. Abundant.
NZ’s only species in this genus is quite variable in size and the extent of yellow markings on the wing; the female is in general more plainly marked than the male.
Ctenopseustis fraterna
The Brownheaded Leafroller, Ctenopseustis fraterna, was first described by Philpott in 1930. It belongs to the family Tortricidae. Native forest. Adults may be found all year but are less common in winter. They can be disturbed from tree ferns by day and come to light at night.
Ctenopseustis obliquana
Ctenopseustis obliquana (Walker, 1863). Endemic. Abundant.
Very variable species both in size and markings.
Ochetarcha miraculosa
Ochetarcha miraculosa was named by Meyrick in 1917. It belongs to the family Tortricidae. It comes with a couple of forms of wing marking which are quite striking. This is not a particularly common moth but can be attracted using artificial light traps from December to February in native forest.
Pyrgotis arcuata
Pyrgotis arcuata was first described by Philpott in 1915. It belongs to the family Tortricidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults may be found from October to early May in native forest. They fly at night and come to light but seem to be a scarce insect.
Pyrgotis chrysomela
Pyrgotis chrysomela was described by Meyrick in 1863. It belongs to the family Tortricidae and is endemic to New Zealand. It is on the wing during the summer months and can be attracted to light in small numbers in native forest clearings.
Pyrgotis plagiatana
Pyrgotis plagiatana was first described by Walker in 1863. This is a very common moth of native forest. It is on the wing from October through to early March and is attracted to artificial light.
Pyrgotis plinthoglypta
Pyrgotis plinthoglypta was first described by Meyrick in 1892. It belongs to the family Tortricidae. It is on the wing in native forest from October through to the end of summer. It is attracted to artificial light in reasonable numbers but can be disturbed by day.
Prothelymna niphostrota
Prothelymna niphostrota was first described by Meyrick in 1907. It belongs to the family Tortricidae and is endemic to New Zealand. It is on the wing from early spring though to the end of summer in native forest. In the Coromandel ranges I have this species to be a common moth at light traps in native forest clearings during early spring.
Cnephasia incessana
Cnephasia incessana was first described by Walker in 1863. It belongs to the family Tortricidae and is endemic to New Zealand. This moth can be attracted to artificial light in native forest clearings from September to April but is not common.
Apoctena conditana
Apoctena conditana was first described by Walker in 1863 (Teras). It is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae which is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing from September to March in native forest. They fly at night and come to light.
Apoctena orthocopa
Apoctena orthocopa was first described by Meyrick in 1924 (Tortrix). It belongs to the family Tortricidae. This species is on the wing during January and February in native forest and is attracted to light in small numbers.
Lopharcha insolita
Lopharcha insolita was first described by Dugdale in 1966 (Laciniella) new combination. It belongs to the family Tortricidae. Adults are on the wing in native forest during summer and are attracted to artificial light.
Indian Meal Moth
The Indian Meal Moth, Plodia interpunctella, was named by Hubner [1810-1813], (Tinea). It belongs to the family Pyralidae and is a truly cosmopolitan species. I have found a few female specimens scuttling about in a container of rat poison in native forest in March!
Morosaphycita oculiferella
Morosaphycita oculiferella was described by Meyrick in 1879. It belongs to the family Pyralidae. Adults are on the wing from August to April. It comes to light and seems to be quite a common moth of open grassy areas.
Senecio Blue Stem Borer
The Senecio Blue Stem Borer, Patagoniodes farinaria was first described by Turner in 1904. It belongs to the family Pyralidae. Forest clearings and edges; coastal areas; farmland; waste ground; shrublands. Adults may be found from October to April, more commonly in the late summer. They fly at night and come to light.
Greater Wax Moth
Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus, 1758). Adventive. Common.
The female is somewhat larger and darker than the male.
Pond Moth
The Pond moth, Hygraula nitens is the only member of the sub-family Nymphulinae. It is on the wing from late spring through early summer. It is attracted to light seemingly some distance from the nearest standing water.
Poroporo Fruit Borer
The Poroporo Fruit Borer, Leucinodes cordalis belongs to the family Crambidae. I have found this to be quite a scarce species although it can be attracted to artificial light on long summer evenings.
Udea daiclesalis
Udea daiclesalis was described by Walker in 1859. It belongs to the family Crambidae. Native forest; shrubland; coastal areas. Adults are found chiefly from September to May. They can occasionally be disturbed or found flying by day; later they fly at night and come to light.
Diasemia grammalis
Diasemia grammalis is on the wing from April onwards through to spring. Native forest clearings and edges, coastal areas, open ground. Adults are mainly found during the summer from January onwards. They fly both by day and night and come to light in small numbers.
Eastern Black Tabby
The Eastern black tabby, Diplopseustis perieresalis was first described by Walker in 1859. Native forest; shrubland; open sedgeland. Adults may be found throughout the year and can be extremely common. They can be disturbed from overhanging vegetation by day, and fly from dusk onwards, usually close to large sedges; they are extremely attracted to light.
Clematis Triangle
The Clematis Triangle, Deana hybreasalis, is a moth of the family Crambidae which was first described by Walker in 1859. This is a very common moth of native forests which is on the wing from October through to the end of April. It is attracted to light.
Proternia philocapna
Proternia philocapna was described by Meyrick in 1884 and belongs to the family Crambidae. It is quite a common moth in native forest through the summer months. It is attracted to artificial light traps.
Glaucocharis auriscriptella
Glaucocharis auriscriptella was first described by Walker in 1864. It belongs to the family Crambidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults occur from November to February in native forest. They fly at night and come to light in reasonable numbers.
Glaucocharis chrysochyta
Glaucocharis chrysochyta was described by Meyrick in 1882. A common insect which may be found from November to March in native forest. They can easily be disturbed from ferns and other low vegetation on warms days, and later fly at night and come to light.
Glaucocharis harmonica
Glaucocharis harmonica was described by Meyrick in 1888. Adults are on the wing from October to February in native forest. They fly at night and come to light in reasonable numbers.
Glaucocharis leucoxantha
Glaucocharis leucoxantha was first described by Meyrick in 1882. Adults may be found from late August to February in native forest. They can be disturbed by day from low vegetation, and later fly at night and come to light.
Glaucocharis parorma
Glaucocharis parorma was described by Meyrick in 1924. It belongs to the family Crambidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are mainly to be found from November to February in native forest across the north island. They can be collected through beating by day and at night when they come to light in reasonable numbers.
Glaucocharis pyrsophanes
Glaucocharis pyrsophanes was first described by Meyrick in 1882. Adults may be found from October to January in native forest across the North Island. They can be disturbed by day from low vegetation, and later fly at night and come to light.
Glaucocharis selenaea
Glaucocharis selenaea was described by Meyrick in 1885. It is quite a common moth of native forest where it's on the wing through the spring, from October to January. It is attracted to UV light traps in reasonable numbers.
Gadira acerella
Gadira acerella is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Walker in 1866 and is endemic to New Zealand. Native forest (lowland to subalpine). Adults may be found from November to March. They fly at night and come to light.
Orocrambus angustipennis
Orocrambus angustipennis was first described by Zeller in 1877. It belongs to the Crambidae family and is endemic to New Zealand. It is the largest 'grass moth' with a forewing length from 15 to 24 mm. Forest edges and clearings, swamps, pastures, coastal areas, gardens. Adults may be found from September to May. They fly at night and come to light in small numbers.
Orocrambus apicellus
Orocrambus apicellus was described by Zeller in 1863. It belongs to the family Crambidae. The normal habitat consists of swampy areas, wet pastures. coastal areas and forest edges and clearings. Adults may be found from September to June, most commonly during spring. They fly at night and come to light.
Common Grass Moth
Orocrambus flexuosellus belongs to the Crambidae family. It is an extremely common moth of open grass areas and forest edges. It is easily attracted to light but can also be collected by day. It is on the wing from spring through summer to late autumn.
Orocrambus ramosellus
Orocrambus ramosellus was described by Doubleday in 1843. Adults may be found commonly from October until April across both north and south islands. They can be collected both by day and at night when they are attracted to light along forest edges and in clearings.
Orocrambus vittellus
Orocrambus vittellus was first described by Doubleday in 1843. The normal habitat consists of grasslands, forest edges and clearings. Adults may usually be found from October until April. They can be collected by day and at night when attracted to light.
Scoparia acharis
Scoparia acharis was first described by Meyrick in 1885. This species is on the wing from the middle of spring and is occasionally attracted to light in native forest clearings.
Scoparia animosa
Scoparia animosa (Meyrick, 1914). Endemic.
Adults are a rich red/brown when newly emerged.
Shining Scoparia
The Shining Scoparia, Scoparia diphtheralis was first described by Walker in 1866. This distinctive looking moth is on the wing in good numbers from November through to January. It is attracted to artificial light in native forest clearings and edges.
Scoparia indistinctalis
Scoparia indistinctalis is a species of moth in the family Crambidae and is endemic to New Zealand. It was described by Francis Walker in 1863 and named Hypochalcia indistinctalis. In 1885 Edward Meyrick placed the species within the genus Scoparia.
Scoparia minusculalis
Eudonia minusculalis (Walker, 1866). Endemic. Common.
It is easily identifiable when at rest by its white band on the forewings.
Scoparia phalerias
Scoparia phalerias was named by Meyrick in 1905 (Scoparia). It belongs to the family Crambidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are mainly found from December through to February in native forest. They fly at night and come to light in small numbers.
Scoparia ustimacula
Scoparia ustimacula is a moth of the Crambidae family. It was described by Felder and Rogenhofer in 1875 and is endemic to New Zealand.
Eudonia aspidota
Eudonia aspidota (Meyrick, 1884). Endemic. Common.
Possibly New Zealand’s most boldly and beautifully marked Scopariine species, and is unmistakable.
Eudonia asterisca
Eudonia asterisca was first described by Meyrick in 1885. It belongs to the family Crambidae and is endemic to New Zealand. It can be encountered in native forest from October to April and can be attracted to UV light in small numbers.
Eudonia bisinualis
Eudonia bisinualis (Hudson, 1928). Endemic. Common.
Distinctive parallel black lines on resting forewing distinguish this species.
