Izatha gekkonella

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

Izatha gekkonella is a moth of the Oecophoridae family. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is only known from the region of the Taieri and Shag River catchments in eastern Otago.[1]

The wingspan is 13.5–15.5 mm for males and 13.5–17 mm for females. Adults have been recorded in October, November and December.

Larvae have been recorded feeding on lichens on rock-faces, making a silken web amongst the lichens.

Etymology

The name gekkonella means "little gecko" and refers to the moth’s mottled and scaly appearance under the microscope, as well as its gecko-like fondness for rockfaces. Geckos are common and diverse in the region of the South Island favoured by I. gekkonella.

References

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