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 ↓
Hierodoris illita
Hierodoris illita (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875). Endemic. Local.
Examples can exhibit quite variable forewing markings and coloration.
White-tipped Clover Casebearer
Coleophora alcyonipennella (Kollar, 1832). Adventive.
Being one of the metallic Coleophora this species is very similar to C. mayerella requiring genitalia examination to separate unless an association with a specific host plant can be established.
Elachista physalodes
Elachista physalodes was named by Kaila in 2011. It is a member of Grass Miner Moths Family Elachistidae.
Tingena ancogramma
Tingena ancogramma (Meyrick, 1919). F.L 7 mm. Endemic. Common.
This is a peculiarly difficult genus which urgently needs revising.
Trachypepla festiva
Trachypepla festiva (Philpott, 1930). Endemic.
This moth is one of several that closely mimic bird droppings, though the forewing pattern and tufts of raised scales also provide camouflage against a patchwork background of lichens.
Trachypepla protochlora
Trachypepla protochlora was first named by Meyrick in 1883. It belongs to the family Oecophoridae. The perfect insect appears from November till February and frequents native forest.
Lecithocera micromela
Lecithocera micromela is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Lower in 1897. Native forest; wetlands. Adults can be found from November to April. They fly at night and come to light.
Orchard Featherfoot
Stathmopoda horticola (Dugdale, 1988). Endemic. Common & Widespread.
The male horticola is pale and plain, the female is more patterned as per the image.
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.
Mnesarchella fusilella
This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1864 and named Tinea fusilella. It belongs to the family Mnesarchaeidae. Adults are on the wing from October to December in native forest. They are diurnal and can be seen flying in the sunshine on warm sunny days.
Trachypepla euryleucota
Trachypepla euryleucota (Meyrick, 1883). Endemic.
This moth is one of several that closely mimic bird droppings, though the forewing pattern and tufts of raised scales also provide camouflage against a patchwork background of lichens.
Trachypepla hieropis
Trachypepla hieropis was named by Meyrick in 1892 and belongs to the family Oecophoridae. Adults are on the wing from October through to January in native forest. They fly at night and are attracted to artificial light.
Trachypepla amphileuca
Trachypepla amphileuca (Meyrick, 1914). F.L. 5 mm. Endemic. Scarce.
This species is similar to T. euryleucota, from which it may be readily distinguished by the posterior third of the costa being wholly white (Hudson, 1928).
Trachypepla conspicuella
Trachypepla conspicuella (Walker, 1864). Endemic.
In general appearance it is lighter than T. euryleucota with less distinct markings.
Kamahi Bark Scribbler
The Kamahi bark scribbler, Xanadoses nielseni (Hoare & Dugdale, 2003). Endemic. Rare.
New Zealand's only member of the family Cecidosidae.
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.
Kauri Leafminer
Acrocercops leucocyma (Meyrick, 1889). Endemic. Common.
The workings of the larva are more often observed than the very small adult insect.
Kamahi Leafminer
Caloptilia chrysitis (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875). Endemic.
Forewing has a broad metallic gold band along the full costal length.
Pseudopanax Leafminer
Eumetriochroa panacitorsens was first described by Watt in 1920 (Parectopa). According to Hudson (1928) the perfect insect appears from September to February and is found in forests. It is not thought to be a common insect although widespread.
Macarostola miniella
Macarostola miniella is a moth of the Gracillariidae family which is endemic to New Zealand. Edward Meyrick named this species in 1880. Adults are on the wing from October through to April in North Island native forests. Occasionally flushed by day from forest vegetation, usually fly by night and come to light.
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.
Asterivora colpota
Asterivora colpota (Meyrick, 1911) (Simaethis). Endemic.
Similar in appearance to Asterivora combinatana but it can be distinguished from it via the discal mark as well as the second line on the forewings (Hudson, 1928).
Tingena actinias
Tingena actinias (Meyrick, 1901). F.L. 7 mm. Endemic.
This is a peculiarly difficult genus which urgently needs revising.
Cryptolechia rhodobapta
Cryptolechia rhodobapta was first described by Meyrick in 1923. It is a moth in the Depressariidae family and is endemic to New Zealand. The perfect insect is on the wing throughout the summer.
