Izatha haumu (Māori name pepepepe haumu o Ngāti Kuri) 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 believed to only inhabit the Aupouri Peninsula.

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

Taxonomy and etymology

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This species was described by Robert J. B. Hoare in 2010 and named Izatha haumu.[1] The Māori word haumu means "hairy" and refers to the grizzled appearance of the moth.[2] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[2]

Description

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The wingspan is 18–22 mm for males and about 23 mm for females.[2] This species is very similar in appearance to I. mesoschista and it is likely the two species can only be distinguished by an examination of male genitalia.[2]

Distribution

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It is endemic to New Zealand,[1] where it is known from the Aupouri Peninsula of Northland.[2] I. haumu is believed to be endemic to Aupouri Peninsula.[2]

Biology and behaviour

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Very little is known of the biology of this species but adults have been recorded on the wing in October and November.[2] The larvae of I. haumu has yet to be located.[2]

Conservation status

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

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Izatha haumu Hoare, 2010". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Hoare, R. J. B. (2010). "Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 65: 1–201. ISBN 9780478347258. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  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.