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 ↓
Lepidoscia heliochares
Lepidoscia heliochares was named by Meyrick in 1893. It belongs to the family Psychidae (Bagworms). Adults fly in late winter through early spring (July to September). At night they are attracted to artificial light and are also active by day.
Scoriodyta conisalia
Scoriodyta conisalia is a moth of the Psychidae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand. The adult appears in October through to December.
Dryadaula castanea
Dryadaula castenea was first described by Philpott in 1915. This pretty little moth belongs to the family Dryadaulidae. Adults are found from November to March. They fly at night and are attracted to light.
Eschatotypa melichrysa
Eschatotypa melichrysa (Meyrick, 1880). Endemic.
Distinct dark apical spot and lack of definite dark line in forewing fringe indicate melichrysa, much less common than E. derogatella.
Dryadaula myrrhina
Dryadaula myrrhina was first described by Meyrick in 1905. It is a species of moth in the family Dryadaulidae and is endemic to New Zealand. The perfect insect appears from October to January and can be found in native forest.
Gold-flecked Dryadaula
Dryadaula pactolia was first described by Meyrick in 1901. It is a species of moth in the family Dryadaulidae and is endemic to New Zealand. According to Hudson 1928 the perfect insect appears from January till March, but recent observations suggest a longer flight period. Found in forest.
Erechthias indicans
Erechthias indicans was named by Meyrick in 1923. It belongs to the family Tineidae and is endemic to New Zealand. The perfect insect is said to appear in January.
Erechthias hemiclistra
Erechthias hemiclistra was named by Meyrick in 1911 (Decadarchis). It belongs to the family Tineidae. Adults are on the wing in September and October where tussock grasses (Chionochloa ssp) are found.
Erechthias crypsimima
Erechthias crypsimima is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1920 and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing during the summer.
Erechthias stilbella
Erechthias stilbella is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was described by Edward Doubleday in 1843 and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing from October to March.
Erechthias terminella
Erechthias terminella was named by Walker in 1863. It is a species of moth in the family Tineidae and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults can be found throughout the year in the North Island but peak during mid summer. They fly at night and can be attracted to artificial light.
Monopis argillacea
Monopis argillacea was described by Meyrick in 1893 (Blabophanes). It belongs to the family Tineidae. Adults from September through to March. They come to light.
Monopis dimorphella
Monopis dimorphella (Dugdale, 1971). Endemic.
Not often seen, and often confused with the much commoner ethelella.
Monopis ornithias
Monopis ornithias is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888 and is endemic to New Zealand. Adults are on the wing from September to November. It is rare in the Auckland region.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
