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 ↓
Eudonia characta
Eudonia characta was first described by Meyrick in 1885. It belongs to the family Crambidae. This species is on the wing in small numbers from October to April. It can be attracted to artificial light in native forest clearings.
Eudonia chlamydota
Eudonia chlamydota was first described by Meyrick in 1885. Native forest; shrubland and gardens. Adults occur from spring to autumn. Depending on habitat they can be disturbed from rocks, tree-trunks or tussocks by day, and come readily to light at night.
Eudonia dochmia
Eudonia dochmia was first described by Meyrick in 1905. It belongs to the family Crambidae and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be attracted to light in native forest at the end of summer through autumn.
Eudonia hemiplaca
Eudonia hemiplaca was first described by Meyrick in 1899. It belongs to the family Crambidae and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is on the wing from spring through to mid-summer in native forest and is attracted to light in steady numbers.
Eudonia octophora
Eudonia octophora was first described by Meyrick in 1884. It is on the wing during mid-summer in native forest. It is attracted to light in small numbers.
Eudonia periphanes
Eudonia periphanes was first described by Meyrick in 1905. Native forest. Adults are found from November through to March. They fly at night and come to light.
Eudonia pongalis
Eudonia pongalis was described by C. Felder, R. Felder and Rogenhofer in 1875. It is attracted to light in small numbers in native forest. It is on the wing late summer through to autumn.
Sod Webworm
Eudonia submarginalis (Walker, 1863). F.L. 9 - 13 mm. Endemic. Abundant.
Extremely variable species in terms of forewing markings however the hindwings always display a characteristic dark border.
Eudonia trivirgata
The Mountain Scoparia, Eudonia trivirgata was first described by Felder & Rogenhofer in 1875. This is quite a scarce moth which is occasionally attracted to light in native forest during late spring through early summer.
Golden-brown Fern Moth
Musotima nitidalis is on the wing from early spring through to the end of summer. It is quite a common moth and is attracted to UV light in native forest clearings.
Proditrix gahniae
Proditrix gahniae was first described by Dugdale in 1987 and belongs to the family Plutellidae. Adults can be collected from December to March in native forest where monocotyledonous host plants are common. They fly at night and come to light in small numbers.
Proditrix tetragona
Proditrix tetragona is the largest member of the family Plutellidae in New Zealand and was first described by Hudson in 1918. The adult moth is on the wing from March to April in native forest where their monocotyledonous host plants are common. Adults can be collected in September and October but are more numerous in March and April. They fly at night and come to light.
Chrysorthenches drosochalca
Chrysorthenches drosochalca (Meyrick, 1905) (Orthenches). Endemic. Locally common.
Gymnobathra tholodella
Gymnobathra tholodella was first described by Meryick in 1883. This is a common moth of native forest; Gumlands. Adults are on the wing from November to April. They can be found during the day but also fly at night and are attracted to light.
Tarata Flat Moth
Nymphostola galactina (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875). Endemic. Local.
This distinctive looking moth is a beautiful pearl green colour when freshly emerged but soon fades to a pale white.
Tingena armigerella
Tingena armigerella (Walker, 1914). F.L. 8 mm. Endemic. Common.
This is a peculiarly difficult genus which urgently needs revising.
Coleophora mayrella
Coleophora mayrella (Huebner, [1813]). Adventive.
One of the metallic greenish or bronzy Coleophora which can be extremely difficult to tell apart without genitalia examination.
Dusky Scuttler
The Dusky Scuttler, Opogona omoscopa was first described by Meyrick in 1893. It belongs to the family Tineidae. It is an extremely common moth which can be encountered throughout the year. In native forest it is on the wing from January through to the end of April. It is easily attracted to artificial light on warm evenings.
Lysiphragma epixyla
Lysiphragma epixyla was first described by Butler in 1888. Adults are on the wing from October through to January in native forests. Adults can be collected by day and come to light.
Dead Sheep Moth
Monopis ethelella (Newman, 1856). Adventive. Common.
This species is usually found in conjunction with its relative, the very similar Monopis crocicapitella.
Asterivora combinatana
Asterivora combinatana (Walker, 1863). Endemic.
The scattered whitish scales are distinctly tinged with blue.
