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 ↓
Capua semiferana
Capua semiferana (Walker, 1863). F.L. 11 mm. Endemic. Common.
This species is very variable in size, colour and intensity of markings.
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.
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.
Ecclitica torogramma
Ecclitica torogramma was named by Meyrick in 1923 (Cacoecia). It is a species of moth of the Tortricidae family and is a New Zealand endemic. Adults may be found from September to February in native forest. They can sometimes be disturbed from foliage of silver fern by day; they also fly at night and come to light in small numbers.
Codling Moth
The Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) is a member of the family Tortricidae. The species was named by Linnaeus way back in 1759 (Phalaena Tortrix) and is adventive to New Zealand, probably accidentally introduced. Adults are the wing from November to March and can be found in and around orchards, they are attracted to artificial light.
Oriental Fruit Moth
Grapholita molesta was named by Busck in Quaintance & Wood in 1916. It is a moth of the Tortricidae family. Adults can be found all year round. They are attracted to light.
Protithona fugitivana
Protithona fugitivana was named by Meyrick in 1882. It is a species of moth of the Tortricidae family and is endemic to New Zealand. Associated with wetlands as the adults can be very common where the Azolla fern is present.
Orange Fruit Borer
Isotenes miserana is a species of moth of the Tortricidae family and is adventive to New Zealand. This species can be found throughout the year across the central regions of the north island.
Harmologa sisyrana
Harmologa sisyrana was named by Meyrick in 1882. It is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults can be found in dry, coastal areas.
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.
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.
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.
