Izatha gekkonella

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]

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[1]

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. "Izatha gekkonella Hoare, 2010". NZOR. 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  2. Hoare, Robert J. B. (2010-09-02). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)". Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201.


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