Biology:Izatha gekkonella
| Izatha gekkonella | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Oecophoridae |
| Genus: | Izatha |
| Species: | I. gekkonella
|
| Binomial name | |
| Izatha gekkonella Hoare, 2010[1]
| |
Izatha gekkonella is a moth of the family Oecophoridae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is only known from the region of the Taieri and Shag River catchments in eastern Otago.[2]
Description
The wingspan is 13.5–15.5 mm for males and 13.5–17 mm for females.[2] This species is very similar in appearance to I. convulsella but is slightly smaller and has a more brownish appearance.[2]
Behaviour
Adults have been recorded in October, November and December.[2]
Larvae have been recorded feeding on lichens on rock-faces, making a silken web amongst the lichens.[2]
Etymology
The name gekkonella means "little gecko" and refers to the mottled and scaly appearance of the moth under the microscope, as well as its gecko-like fondness for rockfaces.[2] Geckos are common and diverse in the region of the South Island favoured by I. gekkonella.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Izatha gekkonella Hoare, 2010". 2020. http://www.nzor.org.nz/names/42014e8b-fb70-428b-a361-6f5345a34b15.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2010-09-02). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)" (in English). Fauna of New Zealand 65: 1–201. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44975107.
Wikidata ☰ Q6101670 entry
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