Biology:Doxophyrtis hydrocosma
| Doxophyrtis hydrocosma | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Plutellidae |
| Genus: | Doxophyrtis |
| Species: | D. hydrocosma
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| Binomial name | |
| Doxophyrtis hydrocosma Meyrick, 1914[1]
| |
Doxophyrtis hydrocosma, also known as the Nikau Palm moth, is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914.[2][3] It is endemic to New Zealand.
Description
The wingspan of this species is between 8.5 to 11 mm.[4] The cocoons of this species are oval shaped with flat spread out edges.[4]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North Island and in the north-west of Nelson.[1][4]
Habitat and hosts
This species inhabits native forest particularly forest on the coast. The larvae of this species feed on the berries of Nikau palm trees.[4] They spin the berries together with silk threads and when fully mature the larvae travel down to the trunk of the palm to pupate there in white-brown cocoons.[4]
Behaviour
Adults are on the wing all through the year.[4] They have been observed resting, in a head down position, on Nikau palms.[4] Often adults can be observed near the cocoons of their larvae.[4] Although they are nocturnal they are only occasionally attracted to light.[4]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Doxophyrtis hydrocosma. |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Doxophyrtis hydrocosma Meyrick, 1914". https://www.nzor.org.nz/names/7f9d61a6-77aa-4380-a510-3af5dfa28dd0.
- ↑ , pp. 463, Wikidata Q45922947
- ↑ , pp. 107, Wikidata Q45083134
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2014). A photographic guide to moths & butterflies of New Zealand. Olivier Ball. Auckland. pp. 26. ISBN 978-1-86966-399-5. OCLC 891672034. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/891672034.
Wikidata ☰ Q13596942 entry
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