elachista thallophora is a moth in the elachistidae family .

it was described by meyrick in 1889 .

it is found in new zealand .

the wingspan is 8 – 15 mm .

the forewings are pearly white with an ochreous-brown longitudinal streak from the base of the costa , and another from the base in the middle , converging to a point in the disc at four-fifths , where they terminate .

there is an ochreous-brown streak along the inner margin from the base to the anal angle .

in males , these markings are thicker , darker , and more suffused , and the posterior half of the costa is also suffused with brown .

the hindwings are grey .

elachista thallophora

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species examined : elachista thallophora meyr . , e . archaeonoma meyr . , e . exaula meyr .
here you will find one or more explanations in english for the word thallophora . also in the bottom left of the page several parts of wikipedia pages related to the word thallophora and , of course , thallophora synonyms and on the right images related to the word thallophora .
segments are globular , and in elachista thallophora meyr . there are two of these , but in e . archaeonoma meyr . and e . exaula meyr . only one remains .
taranaki , palmerston , napier , and masterton ; from january to march , in some places exceedingly plentiful , but apparently not found everywhere . around taranaki i found it swarming in grassy places ; it has quite the habits of an elachista , and is probably a grass - feeder . it is very widely - distributed through australia from east to west , but there also is local , and abundant in some places only .
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[ read before the philosophical institute of canterbury , 1st nov . , 1888 . ]
following descriptions include all the material remaining undescribed in my hands of these groups . it is for resident collectors to obtain fresh material and information on the habits of described species , and i shall at all times welcome any communication from those who have the opportunity of doing so , and will gladly determine any species sent to me .
( scopula daiclesalis ( rect . daiclealis ) , walk . , 1017 . )
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“wellington and dunedin . i am indebted , for the opportunity of describing this species to the liberality of mr . g . v . hudson , who states that it is attracted by fight , and is scarce .
second line slightly paler than ground - colour , darker - margined , forming a whitish dot on costa , becoming obsolete on the white blotch , but its margins partially indicated by fuscous scales ; an erect wedge - shaped white subapical spot ; a white entire hindmarginal line : cilia ochreons - whitish , with an interrupted dark - grey line , and on upper half of hindmargin with obscure light - grey bars . hindwings 1¼ ; pale grey ; indications of a faint paler postmedian line ; cilia ochreous - whitish , with an interrupted grey line .
wellington ; one specimen received from mr . g . v . hudson , who bred it from a larva feeding on moss . it is a conspicuously - distinct species , at once recognised by the peculiar white blotch ; its nearest known ally is s . minusculalis .
♂ . 16–22mm . head , palpi , antennæ , thorax , abdomen , and legs pale whitish - ochreous ; palpi long ; anterior legs infuscated . forewings elongate - triangular ; costa strongly arched , apex obtuse , hindmargin slightly sinuate , somewhat oblique , costal fold short ; whitish - ochreous , with a few fine scattered black scales ; a small black dot in dise before middle , a second in disc at ⅔ ( in tasmanian specimen absent ) , a third beneath costa at ⅔ , a fourth in disc at ⅚ , and a fifth towards inner margin at ⅔ : cilia pale whitish - ochreous . hindwings whitish , with a few scattered light - grey speckles ; cilia whitish .
wellington ; one specimen received from mr . g . v . hudson . i took a specimen also at deloraine , tasmania , in november ; the species is very distinct , and i have no doubt of their identity .
♂ . 14–15mm . head , palpi , and thorax dark reddish - ochreous - brown . antennæ brownish - ochreous , ringed with dark fascous . abdomen dark fuscous . legs dark fuscous , apex of joints pale yellowish , posterior tibiæ pale greyish - ochreous . forewings oblong , posteriorly scarcely dilated , costa on basal half rather strongly arched , then straight , apex obtuse , hindmargin slightly sinuate , somewhat oblique ; dark reddish - ochreous - brown ; a somewhat darker but very ill - defined central fascia from before middle of costa to inner margin before anal angle , narrow on costa , suddenly dilated above middle , thence to inner margin rather broad : cilia dark reddish - ochreous - brown , terminal half pale reddish - ochreous , on costa barred with dark brown . hindwings and cilia dark
otira river ( 3 , 000ft . ) , amongst forest , in january ; four specimens . a distinct species , perhaps nearest p . zatrophana .
♀ . 16–17mm . head , palpi , thorax , and abdomen dark fuscous , slightly sprinkled with yellowish . antennæ and legs dark fuscous , posterior tibiæ yellow - whitish . forewings elongate , moderate , costa gently arched , apex rounded , hind - margin obliquely rounded ; dark fuscous , strewn with ochreous - yellow hair - scales in irregular patches ; a leaden - metallic line from ⅓ of costa to ⅖ of inner margin , angulated outwards in middle ; a sinuate leaden - metallic line from above middle of disc to anal angle ; a leaden - metallic line from middle of costa - obliquely outwards more than half across wing , thence curved round to touch a whitish dot on costa at ¾ , and continued in a strong curve near and parallel to costa and hindmargins to anal angle ; space between first and second lines , and within first curve of third line , less strewn with yellow scales and therefore darker than rest of wing : cilia light grey , rather shining . hindwings rather dark fuscous , somewhat bronzy ; cilia light shining grey .
mount arthur ( 4 , 700ft . ) , in january ; two specimens . very distinct .
head smooth , sidetufts projecting over forehead ; ocelli absent ; tongue well - developed . antennæ ⅘ , in male serrate , shortly ciliated ( ¼–⅓ ) , basal joint moderately long , without pecten . labial palpi long , curved , ascending , second joint thickened with dense appressed scales , terminal joint shorter than second , slender , acute . maxillary palpi very short , drooping . posterior tibiæ clothed with hairs above . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from very near angle , 6 to apex , 7 and 8 stalked , 11 from before middle . hindwings almost or quite as broad as forewings , elongate - ovate or broadly lanceolate , cilia 1⅓ ; all veins separate , 5 bent .
approaches most nearly to compsistis , from which it differs mainly in the antennæ not being as long as forewings , and in veins 3 and 4 of the hindwings being separate . besides the two following species i have several australian , which are closely allied to them : —
castle hill ( 2 , 500ft . ) , dunedin , lake wakatipu , and invercargill ; in december and january , rather common .
whangarei , hamilton , palmerston , napier , christchurch , dunedin , and invercargill ; from december to march , common .
head with loosely - appressed hairs ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ ¾ , in male serrate , pubescent , basal joint moderate , without pecten . labial palpi moderately long , curved , ascending , second joint with rough projecting scales towards apex beneath and two or three apical bristles above , terminal joint shorter than second , somewhat loosely scaled , laterally compressed , obtuse . maxillary palpi rather short , appressed to face . posterior tibiæ clothed with long hairs above and beneath . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from angle of cell , 7 and 8 stalked , 7 to costa , 11 from middle . hindwings 1 , elongate - oblong , apex round - pointed , hind - margin very oblique , cilia 1 ; with an ill - defined hyaline patch towards base ; veins 2 , 3 , 4 remote and parallel , 5 and 6 stalked , 6 to close below apex , 7 approximated to 6 at base .
nearly allied to lysiphragama , but separable by the stalking of veins 7 and 8 of forewings , absence of scaletufts on surface , and hyaline patch of hindwings .
♂ 16mm . head fuscous - whitish , more fuscous between , antennas . palpi dark fuscous , terminal joint whitish . antennæ fuscous . thorax fuscous , posteriorly mixed with whitish . abdomen fuscous . anterior legs dark fuscous ringed with whitish , middle legs ochreous - white banded with black , posterior legs ochreous - whitish banded with fuscous . forewings very elongate , narrow , costa moderately arched , apex round - pointed , hindmargin extremely obliquely rounded ; white , irregularly transversely strigulated with grey , and more or less suffused with pale brownish - ochreous except towards inner margin and base , and on costal edge ; numerous irregular incomplete transverse dark fuscous strigulæ , tending to partially coalesce in pairs : cilia grey - whitish , base white , round apex with a black median line and barred with fuscous . hindwings - bronzy - fuscous ; cilia whitish - grey .
head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ ⅘ , in male strongly ciliated ( 2½ ) , basal joint moderate , with pecten . labial palpi long , curved , ascending , with appressed scales , terminal joint somewhat shorter than second , acute . maxillary palpi very short , appressed to tongue .
posterior tibiæ clothed with long hairs above . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from ¾ of cell , 4 and 5 approximated at base , 7 and 8 stalked , 7 to costa , 11 from before middle . hindwings somewhat narrower than forewings , elongate , long - pointed , tolerably acute , cilia 29 ; with an ill - defined hyaline patch towards base ; veins 3 and 4 stalked , 5 absent , 6 and 7 parallel .
only the one species is known . stainton and wocke both state the ocelli to be absent ; they are , however , distinct , but placed close beneath the root of the antennæ , and therefore easy to be overlooked . a more singular and unaccountable error is that both these writers describe the antennæ as not ciliated , whereas the ciliations are unusually long for this group .
( gelechia subditella , walk . , 657 ; ( ? ) g . adapertella , ib . , 653 . )
♂ ♀ . 13–18mm . head and thorax white . palpi white , terminal joint with base and a subapical band black . forewings elongate , narrow , pointed ; pale greyish - ochreous , sprinkled with dark fuscous and a few white scales ; a white basal dot ; a basal patch enclosing this , a patch along costa towards middle , a small cloud on middle of inner margin , one at anal angle , and another at apex fuscous ; a black dot beneath costa at ¼ , a second , longitudinally elongate , rather obliquely beyond it on fold , a third beneath middle of costa , and a fourth in disc at ⅗ : cilia pale whitish - ochreous , basal half sprinkled with dark fuscous . hindwings whitish - grey ; cilia pale whitish - ochreous .
whangarei , napier , taranaki , palmerston , wellington , christchurch , bealey river , and invercargill , probably therefore universally distributed ; in houses , from october to march . accidentally introduced from europe , and common in australia also ; the larva feeds on seeds , dried foods , & c . walker ' s type of gelechia adapertella is much damaged , and its identification not quite certain .
head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue well - developed . antennæ ⅘ , in male filiform , shortly ciliated ( ½–1 ) , basal joint moderate , without pecten . labial palpi moderately long , curved , ascending , with appressed scales , terminal joint shorter than second , pointed . maxillary palpi very short , slender , drooping . posterior tibiæ clothed with long hairs above . forewings with vein 1 simple or rarely shortly furcate , 2 from angle of cell , 3 absent , 7 and 8 stalked , 7 to hindmargin , 11 from about middle . hindwings ½ to almost 1 , lanceolate , cilia 1–4 ; veins all separate , and tolerably parallel .
apparently most developed in europe . the single new zealand species approaches most to some of the australian .
♂ ♀ . 10–11mm . head , palpi , antennæ , thorax , abdomen , and legs rather dark grey , slightly bronzy - tinged , generally somewhat sprinkled with whitish ; antennal ciliations ½ ; abdomen in female whitish beneath . forewings lanceolate ; rather dark bronzy - grey , more or less densely strewn with whitish scales ; in paler specimens there are indications of two very ill - defined inwardly oblique darker streaks on anterior half , more distinctly spotted with darker on fold , and two less perceptible outwardly oblique streaks on posterior half ; an obscure round dark fuscous dot in disc at ¾ : cilia pale bronzy - grey . hindwings ⅔ grey ; cilia 2 , pale bronzy - grey .
christchurch ( on the lyttelton volcanic hills ) and mount arthur ( 4 , 500ft . ) , in january ; locally common .
head shortly rough - haired ; ocelli present ; tongue short . antennæ in male— ( ? ) , filiform , basal joint moderately long , with strong pecten . labial palpi long , slightly curved , somewhat ascending , second joint beneath with short , dense , rough , projecting tuft of scales towards apex ; terminal joint much shorter than second , somewhat loosely scaled , tolerably obtuse . maxillary palpi moderate , loosely scaled , folded . posterior tibiæ with a few hairs beneath . forewings with vein 1 simple , 2 from ¾ of cell , 5 and 6 approximated at base , 7 and 8 approximated at base , 7 to costa , 11 from before middle . hindwings ⅔ , lanceolate , cilia 2½ ; veins 2 , 3 , 4 , remote and parallel , 5 and 6 stalked , 6 to hindmargin , 7 remote .
allied to endophthora . the single specimen has the apex of both antennæ broken , and their length is uncertain .
♀ . 11mm . head , palpi , antennæ , and thorax whitish - ochreous , with a few dark fuscous scales . abdomen ochreous - whitish . legs pale whitish - ochreous , anterior pair infuscated . forewings very elongate , narrow , parallel - sided , short - pointed ; whitish - ochreous , suffusedly irrorated with dark fuscous , less towards base ; costa marked with blackish - fuscous ; a blackish dot on inner margin almost at base ; an irregular series of blackish scales along fold ; a small whitish spot on costa at ⅕ ; a large oblique subquadrate white spot on costa slightly before middle , reaching nearly half across wing ; a small round black spot in disc before ¾ , preceded by some blue - metallic scales ;
posterior half of wing suffused with golden - fuscous , crossed posteriorly by two slender angulated leaden - blue - metallic fasciæ , margined by series of white dots ; hindmargin dotted with blackish and white : cilia ochreous - grey - whitish . hindwings whitish - grey ; cilia grey - whitish .
mount arthur ( 4 , 000ft . ) , in january ; one specimen .
head more or less rough on crown , face smooth . antennæ in male simple . maxillary palpi obsolete . forewings usually with a rough space on costa between veins 11 and 12 .
the family is fairly well represented in australia . i have only five new zealand species , of which perhaps three are scarcely indigenous , but of australian or exotic origin .
head rough on crown , face smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ ¾ , in male simple , subserrate , basal joint moderate , with pecten . labial palpi moderately long , slightly curved , drooping , filiform , somewhat loosely scaled beneath , terminal joint shorter than second , sometimes more loosely scaled , tolerably pointed . maxillary palpi obsolete . posterior tibiæ smooth - scaled . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from near angle of cell , 7 to hindmargin , 9 and 10 sometimes from a point , 11 from about middle . hindwings 1 , lanceolate , cilia 2 ; vein 4 absent , 5 and 6 rather approximated , 6 to hindmargin .
♂ . 13mm . head and antennæ light ochreous - grey . palpi grey . thorax light ochreous . abdomen whitish - ochreous . legs fuscous , posterior pair ochreous - whitish . forewings very elongate , very narrow , parallel - sided , long - pointed , acute ; pale ochreous , thinly and irregularly sprinkled with dark fuscous and whitish ; basal half of costa dotted with black ; a moderately - broad ill - defined cloudy - white streak along inner margin from base to anal angle , pointed at extremities , interrupted at ⅔ by a small spot of ground - colour ; a cloudy inwardly - oblique dark fuscous mark at ⅓ from near costa to near inner margin : cilia ochreous - grey - whitish , round apex ochreous , with base white , a grey line , and three cloudy dark grey bars . hindwings pale whitish - grey ; cilia ochreous - grey - whitish .
christchurch ; one specimen amongst bush , in august . this species closely approaches an australian form , and , my material being scanty , i am not sure that they are not to be regarded as local races only ; however , at present i am disposed to consider them as distinct .
head loosely scaled , rather rough behind , face smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ ¾ , in male simple , filiform , basal joint moderate , with pecten of two or three fugitive scales . labial palpi moderately long , curved , somewhat ascending , second joint with loose rough scales beneath towards apex , terminal joint somewhat shorter than second , loosely rough - scaled anteriorly , pointed . maxillary palpi obsolete . posterior tibiæ smooth - scaled . forewings with vein 1 simple , 2 from ⅘ of cell , 7 and 8 stalked , 7 to hind - margin , 11 from ⅓ . hindwings 1 , lanceolate , hindmargin sinuate beneath apex , cilia 1⅔ ; vein 4 absent , 5 and 6 rather approximated , 6 to hindmargin .
intermediate in some respects between zelleria and argyresthia . the head is less rough than in any other genus of the family . only the one species is known to me .
nelson , wellington , otira river ( 1 , 500ft . ) , and lake wakatipu ( 1 , 200ft . ) , in december and january ; rather common amongst forest .
head rough on crown , face smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ ⅘ , in male simple , serrate , basal joint
moderately elongate , with large , dense , strong pecten . labial palpi very short , filiform , drooping . maxillary palpi obsolete . posterior tibiæ densely clothed with very long hairs above and beneath . forewings with vein 1 simple , 2 , 3 , and 4 almost from a point , 5 and 6 absent , cell open between 4 and 7 , 7 and 8 stalked , 7 to hindmargin , 10 absent , 11 from middle . hindwings ⅔ , lanceolate , cilia 3 ; veins 3 , 4 , 5 absent , cell open between 2 and 6 , 6 and 7 stalked , 6 to hindmargin .
the natural group to which this and the following genus belong i formerly regarded as a distinct family ( bedelliadæ ) , separable from the argyresthiadæ proper by the hairy posterior tibiæ and degraded neuration of hindwings ; but from a study of more extensive material i think it better to unite them . the structure of the head is characteristic and identical , and the change of neuration is gradual .
♂ . 10–11mm . head and thorax white , face grey . palpi dark fuscous . antennæ whitish - grey . abdomen grey . legs dark grey , tarsi ringed with white , middle and posterior tibiæ grey - whitish . forewings lanceolate ; snow - white ; costa slenderly dark fuscous from about ¼ to ¾ : cilia light grey , towards base whiter , round apex wholly white or ochreous - white , with a grey dot . hindwings and cilia light grey .
christchuruch ; one specimen amongst bush , in december . also from tasmania ; the specimens from these two localities are absolutely similar .
head densely rough - haired above , face smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue short . antennæ 1 , in male filiform , simple , basal joint rather stout , with large dense pecten . labial palpi short , porrected , slender , pointed . maxillary palpi obsolete . posterior tibiæ clothed with hairs above . forewings with vein 1 simple , 2 from angle of cell , 3 from point with 2 or absent , 4 and 5 absent , 6 out of 8 or absent , 7 out of 8 , running to hindmargin , 9 from point with 8 , 11 from middle of cell . hindwings ½ , linear - lanceolate , cilia 6 ; no cell , veins 2 , 3 , 4 on a common stalk , 4 to apex , 5 , 6 , 7 absent .
♂ ♀ . 8–9mm . head whitish - ochreous , somewhat mixed with fuscous . thorax whitish ochreous , in front fuscous . forewings lanceolate ; vein 3 absent , 6 out of 8 ; pale greyish - ochreous , suffusedly irrorated with fuscous except on a streak along inner margin : cilia light ochreous - grey , on costa ochreous - whitish . hindwings grey ; cilia light ochreous - grey .
larva mining blotches in leaves of convolvulus and ipomœa ; pupa naked , suspended .
dunedin ; bred freely from the larva by mr . a . purdie . occurs usually from september to november . probably an introduced species , found in europe , north america , and throughout australia .
♂ ♀ . 9–10mm . head light ochreous , crown mixed with dark fuscous . palpi fuscous . antennæ fuscous - whitish . thorax and abdomen pale ochreous . legs whitish - ochreous , anterior and middle pair infuscated . forewings lanceolate ; vein 3 present , 6 absent ; pale brownish - ochreous , with a few minute black irrorations towards costa posteriorly ; a small black dot on inner margin at ⅓ of wing : cilia pale brownish - ochreous . hindwings light grey ; cilia pale ochreous - grey .
taranaki , christchurch , and dunedin , in september , and from december to february ; common .
head smooth . labial palpi curved , ascending , pointed . maxillary palpi rudimentary . hindwings lanceolate or linear .
in this family , as in the preceding , there is a strong tendency to degradation in the neuration . where this exists , the neuration must not in all instances be considered of equal importance ; in some cases the disappearance of one or two veins must be regarded as insufficient to warrant generic separation , where no variations appear in the other structure . the new zealand indigenous species seem to be entirely of an australian or south pacific character .
head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ almost 1 , in male serrate , with very long fine ciliations ( 4 ) , basal joint very broadly dilated and excavated beneath to form a large eyecap , with small pecten . labial palpi long , curved , ascending , second joint smooth - scaled , terminal joint somewhat roughened above , as long as second , acute . maxillary palpi very short , drooping . anterior tibiæ and tarsi rather dilated with scales ; posterior tibiæ and basal joint of tarsi clothed with stiff rough spines above , inner middle - spur spinose above on basal half , two basal joints of tarsi with short apical spines . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from ⅔ of cell , 7 to costa , 7 and 8 approximated at base , 11 from ⅔ of cell . hindwings ½ , linear , cilia 6 ; veins 2 , 3 , 4 parallel , 5 , 6 , 7 approximated at base .
a curious genus , allied to stathmopoda , but very distinct . in repose the dilated anterior legs are extended in front ; the posterior legs are not erected , but appear to be usually appressed to the abdomen , without touching the surface on which the insect rests . only the two species are known to me .
17 . van . disjunctella , walk . ( vanicela disjunctella , walk . , 1 , 039 . )
♂ ♀ . 13–15mm . head , palpi , antennæ , and abdomen white . thorax white , posterior half dark bronzy - fuscous . legs white , base of tarsal joints spotted with dark fuscous . forewings linear , long - pointed ; shining white , slightly yellowish - tinged ; a dark bronzy - fuscous streak occupying dorsal half of wing , its upper margin notched at ¼ , with a short oblique indentation in middle , opposite which is a white dot on inner margin , and with a short projection at ¾ ; beyond ¾ are one or two very fine dark fuscous longitudinal lines ; apex irrorated or spotted with dark fuscous : cilia grey , with a black apical hook . hindwings and cilia grey .
whangarei , auckland , taranaki , palmerston , nelson , masterton , and wellington ; apparently , therefore , universal throughout the north island , but not yet met with in the south : common from december to march , amongst forest . the following undoubtedly distinct australian species is so extremely similar that i describe it here for purposes of comparison .
♂ ♀ . 12–15mm . head , palpi , antennæ , and abdomen white . thorax white , posterior half dark bronzy - fuscous . legs white , base of tarsal joints obliquely streaked with dark fuscous . forewings linear , long - pointed ; shining white , faintly yellowish - tinged ; a dark bronzy - fuscous streak occupying
dorsal half of wing , its upper margin not notched , cut in middle by a slender inwards - angulated white line reaching inner margin , and with a very minute projection at ¾ ; a white dot on inner margin at ¼ ; a fine black longitudinal line in disc towards apex : cilia grey , with a black apical hook . hindwings and cilia grey .
sydney , new south wales ; only on the fence of the botanical gardens , where it is common from september to december . readily distinguished from the preceding by the white dot on inner margin of forewings at ¼ , the absence of the notch on dorsal streak , the junction of the central indentation and dot into an angulated line , and the minuteness of the projection at ¾ ; these , differences are entirely constant .
head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ ¾ , in male with very long fine ciliations ( 4–5 ) , basal joint elongate , without pecten . labial palpi very long , recurved , slender , smooth - scaled , terminal joint as long as second , acute . maxillary palpi very short , drooping . posterior tibiæ clothed with rough hairs above , posterior tarsi with projecting bristles at apex of two basal joints . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from near angle of cell , 2 and 3 sometimes partially obsolete , 7 and 8 stalked , 7 to costa , 11 from beyond ¾ . hindwings ½ , linear - lanceolate , cilia 6 ; veins 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 tolerably parallel , cell open between 5 and 6 , 6 and 7 from a point .
antennal ciliations of the male . i may add that the european and north american genus schreckensteinia , hb . ( chrysocorys , curt . ) , belongs to this group .
♀ . 14mm . head , palpi , antennæ , and abdomen pale whitish - ochreous . thorax whitish - ochreous , slightly reddish - tinged . legs pale whitish - ochreous . forewings elongate , very narrow , broadest near base , long - pointed ; pale reddish - ochreous , unicolorous : cilia pale whitish - ochreous - grey . hindwings pale whitish - grey , posteriorly ochreous - tinged ; cilia pale whitish - ochreous - grey .
♂ ♀ . 12–16mm . head , palpi , and antennæ whitish - ochreous . thorax ochreous - yellowish , shoulders and a central spot sometimes greyish - tinged . abdomen pale whitish - ochreous , greyish - tinged . legs pale whitish - ochreous , anterior pair dark fuscous . forewings elongate , very narrow , broadest near base , long - pointed ; deep ochreous - yellow ; a rather broad ashy - grey streak along costa from base to near apex ; a short indistinct streak on fold at ⅓ , an irregular spot in disc before middle , and a short irregular longitudinal streak in disc about ⅔ , fuscous or grey , tending to be variously suffused together or with costal streak , or frequently more or less wholly obsolete : cilia light grey . hindwings and cilia light grey .
auckland , taranaki , palmerston , and wellington ; common amongst forest , from january to march . it is a variable species , but always recognisable by the deep ochreous - yellow ground - colour .
♂ ♀ . 12–14mm . head and thorax whitish - ochreous , somewhat metallic - shining . palpi and antennæ pale whitish - ochreous . abdomen grey . legs whitish - ochreous , greyish - tinged , anterior pair dark grey , posterior tibiæ with dark - grey scales at origin of spurs . forewings elongate , very narrow ,
broadest near base , long - pointed ; whitish - ochreous ; an ochreous - fuscous or dark fuscous streak along costa from base to ¾ , sometimes almost obsolete ; an ochreous - fuscous or dark fuscous broadly v - shaped mark before middle , more or less suffused , variable in thickness , its angle resting on inner margin , extremities nearly reaching costa ; a longitudinal line in posterior half of disc , a spot at apex , and an elongate spot at anal angle ochreous - fuscous or ochreous , sometimes partially connected : cilia grey . hindwings rather dark grey ; cilia grey .
wellington and dunedin ; five specimens in january and february , amongst forest . also variable ; in addition to the conspicuous dark v - shaped mark of the forewings , the darker grey hindwings and grey abdomen are good distinguishing characters .
22 . stath . skelloni , butl . ( boocara skelloni , butl . , “cist . ent . , ” ii . , 562 . )
♂ ♀ . 12–15mm . head , palpi , and antennæ pale whitish - ochreous . thorax whitish - ochreous . abdomen pale whitish - ochreous , greyish - tinged . legs pale whitish - ochreous , anterior pair infuscated , apex of posterior tibiæ grey . forewings elongate , very narrow , broadest near base , long - pointed ; whitish - ochreous , sometimes yellowish - tinged ; markings grey , very variable , sometimes partially margined by an ochreous suffusion ; normally an elongate spot on inner margin at ⅓ , a second beneath costa in middle , a third in disc at ⅔ , a fourth before apex , and a slender subcostal line from second spot to costa near apex , but these tend to be variously connected and confused ; sometimes a streak along fold , or along anterior part of costa ; rarely a dark ochreous - fuscous suffusion towards base of inner margin : cilia light grey , sometimes ochreous - tinged . hindwings and cilia light grey .
taranaki , wellington , blenheim , nelson , christchurch , dunedin , lake wakatipu , and invercargill ; common amongst bush , from december to march , but seeming to disappear towards the north . butler failed to recognise the genus ; but it is fortunately unnecessary to consider how to treat his grotesquely solecistic generic name .
♀ . 9–11mm . head , palpi , antennæ , thorax , abdomen , and legs whitish ; anterior legs blackish in front , posterior tibiæ with a sharp black apical ring of scales , preceded above by some grey hairs . forewings elongate , very narrow , broadest near base , long - pointed ; whitish , more or less mixed with ochreous or grey in disc ; markings rather dark fuscous , but cloudy and ill - defined ; a small spot oil inner margin at ⅓ , a second more conspicuous on inner margin beyond middle , and
an angulated fascia - like spot towards apex : cilia whitish - grey . eindwings and cilia whitish - grey .
auckland , wellington , and the otira river ( 1 , 500ft . ) ; six specimens amongst forest , in december and january . a distinct but inconspicuous species .
head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue rudimentary . antennæ ¾ , in male rather stout , filiform , basal joint broadly dilated , excavated beneath to form an eyecap , rough - scaled on posterior edge , without pecten . labial palpi long , curved , ascending , smooth - scaled , terminal joint shorter than second , acute . maxillary palpi obsolete . middle tarsi with long projecting spines at apex of two basal joints ; posterior tibiæ clothed with dense long rough hairs above and beneath , posterior tarsi with whorls of long projecting spines at apex of all joints . forewings with vein 1 simple , 2 and 3 absent , 4 from angle of cell , 7 and 8 stalked , 7 to costa , 11 from ⅚ of cell . hindwings ½ , linear , cilia 7 ; vein 4 absent , cell open between 3 and 6 , 5 free rising from base , 6 and 7 from a point .
allied to stathmopoda , but differing especially by the greatly dilated and excavated basal joint of antennæ , and by the entire absence of the long antennal ciliations . in repose the imago bends the posterior legs to form an angular arch , and extends them horizontally at right angles to the body . the habits of the larva are known , and interesting .
♂ ♀ . 9–12mm . head , palpi , antennæ , thorax , abdomen , and legs very pale whitish - ochreous ; terminal joint of palpi with a dark fuscous line on outer edge ; anterior legs suffused with blackish in front , posterior legs spotted with black on apex of joints . forewings elongate , very narrow , broadest near base , long - pointed ; ochreous - whitish , more or less irregularly suffused or blotched with ochreous ; a small cloudy dark fuscous spot on inner margin near base , and another on costa slightly before middle , both in female sometimes almost obsolete ; an apical black dot : cilia grey - whitish . hindwings whitish - grey ; cilia grey - whitish .
larva 16 - legged , moderately stout , cylindrical , active ; whitish flesh - colour , or whitish ; head pale whitish - brown . feeds on platycerium grande ( a large parasitic fern , growing on tree - trunks ) , burrowing amongst the ripe fructification beneath the fronds , forming galleries of loose refuse ; found in march ,
taranaki and palmerston , in february and march ; common amongst its food . the species occurs also plentifully in the botanical gardens at sydney , but i have not yet met
with it in native forest in australia , and it is therefore at least possible that it was introduced into sydney with ferns from new zealand . the food - plant is , however , considered native in both countries .
head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ ⅚ , in male stout , very shortly ciliated ( ½ ) , basal joint moderate , without pecten . labial palpi very long , slender , recurved , smooth - scaled , terminal joint as long as second , acute . maxillary palpi obsolete . posterior tibiæ with long hairs above , with a large dense triangular tuft of long scales covering terminal half above , tarsi with long projecting spines at apex of two basal joints . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from ⅔ of cell , 3 from angle , 7 to costa , 11 from ¾ of cell . hindwings ½ , linear - lanceolate , cilia 6 ; veins 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 tolerrably parallel , 6 and 7 approximated at base .
allied to stathmpoda ; sufficiently distinguished by the very short antennal ciliations , and peculiar tuft of tibiæ , apart from the neuration ; the latter , i believe , i have made out correctly , but cannot be sure on my single specimen , which proved difficult of examination . in repose the imago holds the posterior legs so as to project behind and rest on the surface , but with the tibiæ and tarsi bent so as to form an erect triangle with the surface on which it rests ; hence with much the superficial appearance of the hindlegs of a grasshopper .
♂ . 11mm . head and palpi light yellowish - ochreous . antennæ whitish - fuscous , base yellowish . thorax fuscous . abdomen grey . anterior legs dark fuscous ; middle legs ochreous - yellowish ; posterior legs ochreous - whitish , tibiæ with a black apical ring , and tuft of posterior half dark grey . forewings elongate , very narrow , broadest near base , long - pointed ; fuscous , somewhat unevenly shaded , but without markings : cilia light fuscous . hindwings fuscous - grey ; cilia light fuscous .
head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ ⅘ , in male subserrate , slightly thickened towards apex , basal joint elongate , obconical , without pecten . labial palpi moderate , curved , ascending , slender , smooth , terminal joint shorter than second , acute . maxillary palpi rudimentary . posterior tibiæ thinly haired above on basal half and at apex . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from rather near angle of
cell , 7 and 8 stalked , 7 to costa , 10 from near angle , 11 absent . hindwings ½ , linear - lanceolate , cilia 5 ; veins 2 , 3 , 4 parallel , cell open between 4 and 5 , 5 and 6 stalked , 6 to close below apex , 7 approximated to 6 at base .
allied to the european genus chrysoclista , from which it differs principally in the neuration of forewings . the group of laverna , to which it belongs , although extensively represented in australia , has probably no truly indigenous representatives in new zealand ; the present species , common to both countries , is in all probability really australian , and has found its way over within comparatively recent times .
♂ ♀ . 5–8mm . head , palpi , antennæ , thorax , abdomen , and legs dark shining bronze , face whitish - bronze , legs spotted with white . forewings lanceolate ; bright dark golden - bronze ; markings pale violet - golden - metallic ; a fascia near base , often ill - defined ; a nearly perpendicular fascia before middle ; a dot in disc beyond middle , beneath which is a black dot or small spot on fold ; an inwardly - oblique fascia at ¾ ; a small spot on anal angle ; a streak along hindmargin from apex ; a triangular snow - white spot on costa near apex : cilia fuscous - grey , round apex with two blackish lines , and a minute white dot above apex . hindwings dark fuscous ; cilia fuscous - grey .
christchurch and the bealey river ; rather common from december to february , frequenting leptospermum , on which the larva must certainly feed . the species is common also in new south wales and tasmania , frequenting the same plant , from september to april .
head smooth ; ocelli absent ; tongue developed . antennæ ¾ , in male serrate , moderately ciliated ( 1 ) , basal joint very elongate , dilated towards apex , with one or two hair - scales at base . labial palpi very long , recurved , second joint thickened with appressed scales , terminal joint longer than second , acute . maxillary palpi rudimentary . thorax in male with a long fine curved pencil of hairs from each side beneath , directed backwards . posterior tibiæ clothed with long hairs above . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from ⅔ of cell , 7 and 8 stalked , 7 to costa , 11 from before middle of cell . hindwings ⅔ , elongate - lanceolate , cilia 2 ; veins all separate and tolerably parallel .
stainton was undoubtedly mistaken in reuniting this genus to laverna , to which it is by no means closely allied , differing in several essential points .
♂ ♀ . 15–21mm . head and thorax pale ochreous . palpi whitish - ochreous , terminal joint with a longitudinal dark fuscous line . forewings elongate , very narrow , long - pointed ; whitish - ochreous , brownish - tinged ; a round dark fuscous dot in disc before middle , and a second at ⅔ , tending to be ringed with ochreous - whitish , and connected by an obscure streak of ochreous - whitish scales somewhat mixed with fuscous ; beyond the second dot is generally a small fuscous spot : cilia whitish - ochreous . hindwings pale grey , ochreous - tinged ; cilia whitish - ochreous .
larva yellow - whitish , with five brownish longitudinal lines ; feeding in seedheads of typha angustifolia , burrowing amongst the seeds , and causing the down to hang out in loose masses , exactly in the manner of scieropepla typhicola .
hamilton ; one specimen in january , amongst the swamps of the waikato . i have also taken it in new south wales . the species occurs in central europe , but is not very widely known , probably owing to the retired habits of the imago . my specimens are the only ones taken outside europe ; yet , as it is hardly conceivable that the species should have been artificially introduced , and as the typha is thought to be indigenous in suitable localities all round the world , i conjecture that the insect may be truly cosmopolitan . the light down of the seedheads , carrying the seeds of the plant and the ova of the insect , must be exceedingly susceptible of dissemination by the wind .
head smooth ; ocelli absent ; tongue developed . antennæ ¾ , in male serrate , pubescent , basal joint very elongate , with pecten . labial palpi moderately long , curved , ascending , second joint with loose rough scales beneath towards apex , terminal joint as long as second , slightly roughened anteriorly , acute . maxillary palpi very short , appressed to tongue . thorax in male with some very long fine hairs beneath from posterior extremity . posterior tibiæ clothed with long hairs above . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from angle of cell , 5 and 6 out of 7 , 7 to costa , 8 out of 7 before 6 , 11 from middle . hindwings ½ , linear - lanceolate , cilia 6 ; veins 2 , 3 , 4 parallel , 5 from a point with 6 , 6 and 7 stalked .
allied to the group of laverna , but not very closely approaching any particular genus .
♂ ♀ . 11–12mm . head ochreous - white . palpi white , second joint with basal half black , and apical and subapical ochreous rings , terminal joint with basal half black . antennæ whitish ,
obscurely ringed with blackish . thorax white , or whitish - ochreous . abdomen pale yellowish - ochreous , posteriorly greyer . legs blackish , ringed with ochreous - white . forewings very elongate , narrow , long - pointed ; greyish - ochreous , coarsely and irregularly irrorated with dark fuscous ; markings white , tending to be margined by a black suffusion ; a triangular spot on costa before ¼ , its apex sometimes almost reaching inner margin ; an irregular somewhat oblique blotch beyond middle , touching costa anteriorly , and almost reaching inner margin ; a small ill - defined , irregular , transverse spot near apex , most distinct on costa : cilia pale ochreous - greyish , round apex somewhat mixed with fuscous . hindwings grey ; cilia pale ochreous - grey .
christchurch and invercargill in december , february , and march ; six specimens , amongst bush .
head smooth ; ocelli present or absent ; tongue developed . antennæ ⅘ to 1 , in male serrate , pubescent or simple ; basal joint elongate , with pecten . labial palpi very long , recurved , smooth , slender , terminal joint longer than second , acute . maxillary palpi rudimentary . posterior tibiæ clothed with hairs above . forewings with vein 1 furcate , 2 from ⅘ of cell , 5 sometimes out of 7 , 6 out of 7 or absent , 7 to costa , 8 out of 7 , 11 from before middle . hindwings about ½ , linear - lanceolate , cilia 3 to 6 ; veins 2 , 3 , 4 parallel , 5 approximated to 4 , 6 and 7 from a point , or stalked , or rarely coincident .
this interesting genus , which is rather an old type of the family , and indicates the origin of some more widely - distributed forms , is rather extensively distributed in australia , and i have also described several species from the south pacific islands . of the three new zealand species , the first two are endemic , but markedly allied to australian forms , the third is widely distributed in australia .
♂ ♀ . 9–13mm . head and thorax golden - ochreous , face white , eyes crimson . palpi ochreous , more or less suffused with white , terminal joint white with anterior edge and often apex black . antennæ white , ringed with black . abdomen whitish - ochreous . legs whitish , banded with dark fuscous , posterior pair pale whitish - ochreous . forewings elongate , very narrow , long - pointed ; vein 5 separate , 6 present ; golden -
ochreous , paler towards costa posteriorly ; markings snow - white , finely black - margined ; a very slender median line from base to ¼ ; a slender oblique line from costa at ⅕ , terminating in a moderate triangular spot on inner margin before , middle , which is either wholly white , or white with an ochreous centre ; or wholly ochreous and scarcely paler than ground - colour ; a line from ⅖ of costa almost perpendicularly half across wing , thence abruptly rectangularly bent outwards to middle of disc , and again rectangularly bent to inner margin ; a fine , extremely oblique line from middle of costa to disc at ¾ , thence acutely angulated to anal angle , sinuate inwards beneath costa , connected with preceding line on costa by a fine white line , and on inner margin by a streak which is either white , or ochreous hardly paler than ground - colour ; a whitish - ochreous or white , posteriorly black - margined , mark on costa at ⅘ , whence proceeds a black sometimes ill - defined line to apex ; sometimes an irregular short white streak along hindmargin to apex : cilia light greyish - ochreous , round apex more golden - ochreous , with a black dot at base on apex . hindwings with veins 6 and 7 stalked ; costa in male with long loose hairs at base ; grey ; cilia light ochreous - greyish .
♂ ♀ . 10–12mm . head and thorax reddish - ochreous ; face ochreous - whitish . palpi white , second joint with three ochreous rings , terminal joint with three black rings . antennæ 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 ¼ 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 .
♂ ♀ , 7–10mm . head and thorax brownish - ochreous , face ochreous - whitish . palpi ochreous - whitish , second joint with
basal half and a subapical ring suffusedly irrorated with black , terminal joint irrorated with dark fuscous . antennæ whitish - ochreous , ringed with dark fuscous . abdomen grey - whitish , or grey . legs dark grey , suffusedly ringed with whitish . forewings lanceolate ; vein 5 separate , 6 present ; brownish - ochreous , sometimes more or less sprinkled with dark fuscous ; a black dot on base of costa , sometimes obsolete , a second on costa near base , a third in disc beneath second , a fourth on base of inner margin , often obsolete , a fifth in disc before middle , a sixth on fold rather obliquely beyond fifth , and a seventh in disc at ⅔ ; generally two small indistinct whitish - ochreous spots on costa and inner margin opposite seventh dot : cilia light grey , darker round apex . hindwings with veins 6 and 7 from a point ; grey ; cilia light - grey .
head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue developed . antennæ ¾ , in male simple , filiform or serrulate , basal joint moderate , with or without pecten . labial palpi long , recurved , slender , smooth - scaled , terminal joint shorter than second , acute . maxillary palpi obsolete . posterior tibiæ clothed with long hairs above and beneath . forewings with vein 1 simple , 2 from angle of cell , 4 sometimes absent , 5 absent , 6 out of 7 , 7 to costa , 8 out of 7 or absent , 9 approximated to or from point with or out of 7 , 11 from middle . hindwings about ½ , narrow lanceolate , cilia 3 to 5 ; vein 4 sometimes absent , 5 absent , cell sometimes open below 6 , 6 and 7 stalked .
a genus of considerable extent , and probably cosmopolitan , but from the obscurity of the species hitherto not much noticed outside europe . besides the seven new zealand species , i have about fifteen australian . all known larvæ of the genus mine in leaves of grasses or sedges . wocke separates the species in which vein 4 of both wings is absent ( it appears to change in both wings simultaneously ) as a distinct genus , under the name pæciloptilia ; but , after careful consideration , this appears to me unnecessary : there is no other difference whatever , and , as i have remarked above , in this family the disappearance of a vein is not of great importance , and the neuration of many of its genera is liable to vary to that extent . i have therefore retained all in one genus , but used the character to separate it into sections .
♂ . 13mm . head , palpi , antennæ , and thorax whitish - grey . abdomen ochreous - whitish , with a dense black apical exsertible tuft . legs dark fuscous , posterior pair ochreous - whitish . forewings lanceolate ; whitish - grey , somewhat irrorated with darker ; an elongate black dot on fold before middle , a second in disc above middle , and a third in disc at ⅔ : cilia grey - whitish , with a spot of black scales at base round apex , and tips sprinkled with black . hindwings and cilia pale whitish - grey .
hamilton ; one specimen in january . i have two specimens from australia which closely resemble this , and which agree in possessing the characteristic and highly peculiar black anal tuft ; but , as they differ considerably from the new zealand specimen , and also from one another , in the position of the black dots on the forewings , i have not felt justified at present in uniting them , although i think it very probable that a longer series of specimens may prove this character to be variable .
♂ ♀ . 9–14mm . head whitish . palpi grey , terminal joint and apex of second white . antennæ grey . thorax whitish - grey . abdomen grey - whitish , anal tuft in male more or less ochreous - tinged . legs dark grey , posterior pair grey - whitish . forewings lanceolate ; light grey or rarely grey - whitish ; a black dot on fold in middle , and an elongate black dot in disc at ⅔ : cilia grey , with indications of two black lines for a short distance below apex . hindwings and cilia grey .
hamilton , makatoku , and invercargill ; common in swampy places , in december , january , and march .
christchurch ( on sandhills ) and mount arthur ( 4 , 000ft . ) , in january and march ; locally abundant . the variation in size is noteworthy , some of the largest females being twice as large as the males . the species is a remarkably distinct one , but recalls e . rufocinerea , to which it has probably some real relationship .
♂ ♀ . 8–10mm . head and thorax ochreous - whitish , sprinkled with ochreous . palpi white . antennæ fuscous . abdomen grey - whitish , anal tuft ochreous - whitish . legs dark fuscous , posterior pair ochreous - whitish . forewings lanceolate ; whitish , more or less irrorated with ochreous , especially on dorsal half ; a slender ochreous - fuscous median longitudinal streak from near base to middle , and a second from above extremity of first to near apex ; a fuscous dot beneath apex of first streak , sometimes obsolete ; inner margin more or less obscurely brownish towards base : cilia grey - whitish . hindwings pale grey ; cilia grey - whitish .
christchurch , on the port hills ; in january and march , abundant amongst the tussock - grass , to which it appears attached .
♂ . 9–10mm . head and palpi ochreous - whitish . antennæ fuscous . thorax whitish - ochreous irrorated with grey . abdomen grey , anal tuft whitish - ochreous . legs dark grey , ringed with whitish , posterior tibiæ whitish . forewings lanceolate ; pale whitish - ochreous , irrorated with grey , more closely and suffusedly on costa , more yellowish - tinged in disc ; a slender black median streak from near base to before middle ; a black elongate dot in disc above middle , and a second , larger