Biology:Ecclitica torogramma

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Short description: Species of moth

Ecclitica torogramma
Ecclitica torogramma 166536471.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
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Genus:
Species:
E. torogramma
Binomial name
Ecclitica torogramma
(Meyrick, 1897)[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Cacoecia torogramma Meyrick, 1897
  • (Meyrick, 1987) Tortrix torogramma

Ecclitica torogramma, also known as the ponga ugly nestmaker,[3] is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1897 using specimens collected by George Hudson in Wellington and named Cacoecia torogramma.[2][4]

Description

Illustration of male.

The larva is small and green with a brown head and when mature is under 10 mm in length.[3]

Meyrick described the adult female of this species as follows:

♂♀ 19 mm. Head and thorax whitish-ochreous, slightly reddish-tinged. Palpi moderately long. Antennal ciliations in ♂ 1. Forewings suboblong, costa rather strongly arched, termen sinuate, rather oblique, costal fold in ♂ short, basal ; whitish-ochreous, reddish-tinged, or mixed with pale reddish and whitish ; outer edge of basal patch straight, very oblique, dark fuscous or red-brown ; central fascia evenly broad, straight, very oblique, edged with dark fuscous or red-brown streaks, posterior not reaching tornus, in ♀ followed by a wedge-shaped whitish costal spot reaching half across wing, dark-edged posteriorly. Hindwings whitish-fuscous, rather darker in ♀.[4]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North Island and in the northern parts of the South Island.[5][6]

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits native forest.[6] Its larval host plant is the silver fern.[6]

Behaviour

The larvae create a nest for themselves by weaving the growing tips of the fronds of its host plant together with silk webbing.[3] They consume these fronds during spring and summer.[3] Adults of this species are on the wing from September to February. Adults are nocturnal although they can sometimes be seen flying during the day when disturbed. They are attracted to light.[6] The adult moths can often be located during the day, hiding on the underside of fronds of their host plant.[3]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q18071378 entry