Izatha quinquejacula

Izatha quinquejacula 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 found on the Three Kings Islands.

Izatha quinquejacula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Oecophoridae
Genus:
Izatha
Species:
I. quinquejacula
Binomial name
Izatha quinquejacula
Hoare, 2010[1]

Taxonomy and etymology

This species was first described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2010.[2][1] It was first discovered by Peter M. Johns in 1963.[2] The epithet comes from the Latin words quinque, meaning five, and jaculum, meaning a javelin or dart.[2] This refers to the maximum of five deciduous cornuti in the vesica, one of the diagnostic characters of the species.[2]

Description

The wingspan of this species is 19–23 mm for males and about 26 mm for females.[2] The species is similar in appearance to I. epiphanes, I. mesoschista, and I. haumu.[2] However I. quinquejacula can be distinguished from I. epiphanes as it has a less noticeable discal spot as well as a fishtail shaped mark above this spot on its forewings.[2] It can be distinguished from I. mesoschista, and I. haumu. as it has a 3 shaped black mark on the main vein running along the leading edge of its wing which is not found on the forewings of those two species.[2]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1] It is only found on the Great Island in the Three Kings Islands.[2]

Biology and behaviour

Little is known of the biology of this species and the larvae are as yet unknown.[2] Adults have been recorded on the wing in November and December.[2]

Conservation Status

This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[3]

References
  1. "Izatha quinquejacula Hoare, 2010". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  2. Hoare, R. J. B. (2010). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201. ISBN 9780478347258.
  3. 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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