Titanomis

Titanomis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Unassigned
Genus:	Titanomis Meyrick, 1888
Species:	T. sisyrota
Binomial name
Titanomis sisyrota Meyrick, 1888
Synonyms
Titonomis Dalla Torre & Strand, 1929

Titanomis is a genus of moth containing the single species Titanomis sisyrota, the Frosted Phoenix, which is only known from New Zealand. It is an extremely rare species with only 10 reliable records. Furthermore, taxonomists have difficulty placing it within an existing superfamily. Although the species is thought to be endemic to New Zealand, it might also be a sporadic immigrant.

It is a large species, with a wingspan of about 60 mm. The forewings are dark brown with dark streaks on the veins and a whitish border. The hindwings are shaggy.

Females probably insert the eggs into the host, which might be woody branches or stems of living plants, rotten wood or even a bracket fungus.

Etymology

The genus name is derived from Titan (meaning giant) and anomis (meaning anomalous) and refers to the size and unusual morphology for the group it was originally placed in. The species name is derived from sisyrota (meaning wearing a shaggy garment) and probably refers to the hairs on the inner margin of the hindwings.^[1]

Taxonomy

Titanomis is considered an enigmatic unplaced genus (along with the genus Cadmogenes) and may require its own family.^[2]

References

1. New Zealand's most enigmatic moth - what we know about Titanomis sisyrota
2. Program and Proceedings of the International Lepidopterists' Conference, Denver, July 23–29, 2012