Izatha spheniscella

Izatha spheniscella is a moth of the Oecophoridae family. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is only known from the subantarctic Snares Islands.^[1]

The wingspan is 14–15 mm for males and about 14 mm for females. Adults have been recorded in December and February.

Pupae have been found amongst green algae, the presumed larval host plant, on an overhanging granite rock on Rima Islet, part of the Western Chain of the Snares. The male paratype from Alert Stack was found amongst crustose lichens, suggesting these may also be fed on by larvae.

Etymology

The species name is a female diminutive of Spheniscus, a penguin, and refers to the female moth’s brachyptery (reduced wings) and to the rocky subantarctic island habitat.

References