Pyroderces aellotricha, also known as the Cosmet moth, is a moth of the family Cosmopterigidae.[1] It is found in New Zealand, in Australia and the Cook Islands.
| Pyroderces aellotricha | |
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| Ventral view | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Cosmopterigidae |
| Genus: | Pyroderces |
| Species: | P. aellotricha
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| Binomial name | |
| Pyroderces aellotricha | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Taxonomy edit
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889 and named Proterocosma aellotricha.[2] Meyrick, when first describing the species, used two specimens collected in Hamilton in January.[2] In 1915 Meyrick placed this species within the genus Pyroderces.[3] The female lectotype, collected in Hamilton, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[4]
Description edit
Meyrick described the species as follows:
♂♀. 10-12mm. Head and thorax reddish - ochreous ; face ochreous-whitish. Palpi white, second joint with three ochreous rings, terminal joint with three black rings. Antennae white, ringed with black. Abdomen grey, towards base pale-ochreous. Legs whitish, banded with blackish. Forewings elongate, very narrow, long-pointed ; vein 5 separate, 6 present ; reddish-ochreous, tending to become whitish-ochreous round markings and towards base of inner margin ; markings ochreous-white, closely irrorated with black ; an irregular oblique fascia from 1⁄4 of costa, not reaching inner margin, emitting a short streak from posterior edge above middle ; an irregular somewhat 8-shaped spot in middle of disc, from upper part of which proceeds an irregular streak to costa before apex ; an irregular ochreous-whitish streak along hindmargin from apex to anal angle ; a black apical dot : cilia light ochreous-greyish, round apex reddish-ochreous, with a blackish basal line and two blackish apical hooks. Hindwings with veins 6 and 7 stalked ; grey; cilia pale-grey, ochreous-tinged.[2]
Distribution edit
This species is found in New Zealand, including at the Kermadec Islands, in Tasmania, Australia and in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.[5][6] Other than its type locality it has also been collecting in Whangārei.[7]
Hosts edit
The larvae of this species feed on ripening seed heads of raupō, and stored maize cobs.[6][8]
References edit
- ^ a b "Pyroderces aellotricha (Meyrick, 1889)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ a b c d Edward Meyrick (May 1889). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 21: 175. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q56065895.
- ^ E. Meyrick (12 July 1915). "Revision of New Zealand Tineina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 47: 209. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q63123349.
- ^ John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 86. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
- ^ "Cosmet Moth". www.padil.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
- ^ a b "Pyroderces aellotricha". lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
- ^ George Vernon Hudson (1939), A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington: Ferguson and Osborn Limited, p. 441, OCLC 9742724, Wikidata Q109420935
- ^ "Pyroderces aellotricha (Meyrick, 1889)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-10.