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 ↓
Scoparia illota
Scoparia illota was named by Philpott in 1919. It is a moth of the Crambidae family which is endemic to New Zealand. Native forest. Adults can be found in January through February. They fly at night and come to light.
Glaucocharis holanthes
Glaucocharis holanthes is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Meyrick in 1885 and is endemic to New Zealand. Native forest; shrubland and waste ground. Adults are on the wing from November to February. They fly at night and regularly come to light.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Glaucocharis bipunctella
Glaucocharis bipunctella was named by Walker in 1866 (Eromene). It is a member of the Crambidae family and a New Zealand endemic. Native forest; shrubland and wasteground. Adults are on the wing from October to January. They fly at night and come to light.
Glaucocharis metallifera
Glaucocharis metallifera (Butler, 1877). Endemic.
One of the larger members of the genus with a forewing length of 8 to 10 mm.
Glaucocharis microdora
Glaucocharis microdora (Meyrick, 1905). F.L. 3.5 - 4.5 mm. Endemic.
As its name suggests, the smallest member of the group.
Vinicia
This unnamed species belongs to the family Pyralidae. Adults have been observed in saltmarshes consisting mainly of Samolus repens from November to February.
Meal Moth
Pyralis farinalis was named by Linnaeus in 1758. It is a cosmopolitan moth of the family Pyralidae. Houses; warehouses; outhouses; especially chicken sheds. Adults may be found from September to April, with the ocassional mid-winter record. They usually frequent dark corners by day, resting on walls and scuttling away if disturbed. They fly at night and sometimes come to ...more ↓
Scoparia ergatis
Scoparia ergatis was named by Meyrick in 1884. It belongs to the family Crambidae and is endemic to New Zealand.
Maidenhair Fern Moth
Musotima aduncalis is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Hawaiian Beet Webworm Moth
Spoladea recurvalis, sometimes known by the common name Beet Webworm Moth or Hawaiian Beet Webworm, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It is found worldwide, but mainly in the tropics.
Grass Webworm Moth
Herpetogramma licarsisalis, the grass webworm or tropical grass webworm, is a moth of the Crambidae family. It is native to most of the old world tropics, including New Zealand, Hong Kong and Queensland. It is an introduced species in many other parts of the world, including Hawaii and the Canary Islands.
Mediterranean Flour Moth
The Mediterranean flour moth or mill moth (Ephestia kuehniella) is a moth of the family Pyralidae. It is a common pest of cereal grains, especially flour. This moth is found throughout the world, especially in countries with temperate climates. It prefers warm temperatures for more rapid development, but it can survive a wide range of temperatures.
Tree Lucerne Moth
The Tree Lucerne Moth (Uresiphita ornithopteralis) is a moth of the Crambidae family. It is found in New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.
Eudonia cataxesta
Eudonia cataxesta is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1884 and is endemic to New Zealand.
Antiscopa acompa
Antiscopa acompa (Meyrick, 1884). Endemic. Local.
This species is very similar in appearance to A. epicomia but can be distinguished as A. acompa has a thicker antemedian (dark) forewing line
Eudonia legnota
Eudonia legnota is a moth in the Crambidae family. This species was named by Edward Meyrick in 1884. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Australian maidenhair fern moth
Musotima ochropteralis is a moth of the Crambidae family. It is known from all of Australia.
Uresiphita polygonalis
Uresiphita polygonalis is a moth of the Crambidae family. It is found in the Pacific, including Hawaii and New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Europe and northern & southern Africa
Eudonia feredayi
Eudonia feredayi is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Henry Guard Knaggs in 1867. This species is endemic to New Zealand.
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.
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.
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.
