Izatha taingo (Māori name pepepepe tāingo o Ngāti Kuri) is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. It is only known from the Aupouri Peninsula of Northland.
| Izatha taingo | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Oecophoridae |
| Genus: | Izatha |
| Species: | I. taingo
|
| Binomial name | |
| Izatha taingo | |
Taxonomy and etymology edit
This species was described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2010.[1] The epithet is based on the Māori word tāingo means "speckled" or "mottled" and refers to the forewing pattern.[2] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[2]
Description edit
The wingspan is 18.5–22.5 mm for males and about 16 mm for females.[2] I. taingo is normally white or pale whitish green in colour.[2] This species is visually very similar to Izatha peroneanella.[2] The only distinguishing feature between these two species is the difference in the male genitalia.[2]
Distribution edit
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1] It has only been found on the Aupouri Peninsular of Northland.[2]
Biology and behaviour edit
Adult moths have been recorded on the wing in October, November and December.[2]
Conservation status edit
This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Izatha taingo Hoare, 2010". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hoare, R. J. B. (2010). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201. ISBN 9780478347258. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). "Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20: 8.
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